Albert Dean "Sam" Angove

Albert Dean "Sam" Angove passed away peacefully at his home in Mesa, Arizona on March 10, 2026, surrounded by his beloved wife, Joyce.

Born on October 9, 1936, in Shelton, Washington, to Irving and Jean Angove, Sam enlisted in the United States Navy in San Diego in January 1955. He completed over 27 years of combined active and reserve service, retiring in 1986 with the rank of Chief Boatswain’s Mate (E-7). In 1968, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Humboldt State College in Arcata, California. He then moved his young family to Spokane, Washington, where he served as Spokane County Parks and Recreation Director.

A passionate advocate for the natural environment, Sam chaired the Spokane chapter of the Sierra Club and provided expert testimony that helped secure the passage of the Central Idaho Wilderness Act of 1980, establishing the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness. Closer to home, he worked tirelessly for more than a decade to create the Little Spokane River Natural Area in 1985 and played a key role in developing the groundwork for Spokane’s Centennial Trail. An avid golfer, he also oversaw the design and construction of Meadowood Golf Course at Liberty Lake.

In 1996, Sam moved to Mesa, Arizona, where he met and shared his life with Joyce. Together they traveled the country visiting family, kayaked on oceans, rivers, and lakes, and explored the wild places he had dedicated his life to protecting. He continued his lifelong passion for building and restoring antique automobiles. On March 13, 2026, his cherished 1929 Model A “Woody” made one final appearance at Mesa’s East Valley Cruisers Car Show, where more than 80 of his car club friends gathered to honor him.

Sam is survived by his wife Joyce Angove, his children Michael Angove and Stephanie Wieber, six grandchildren—Alexandra, Emma, Andersen, Creighton, Thea, and Aaron—his former wife Patricia, and stepchildren Mark Shifter, Suzanne Shifter Sawyer, and John P. Myer.