Sam Kuczun

Professor emeritus Sam Kuczun, Ph.D passed away on September 22, 2024, at 91.

Sam was born and raised in Salem, Massachusetts. His lifelong journey as  a reporter began in high school when he wrote for a local daily newspaper. He received a BS at Boston University (1954) and later became a teaching fellow. He received an MS (1961) and holds a Ph.D from the University of Minnesota.

He spent six years as a reporter, first at Newburyport News (MA) from 1954 - 1955 and as a reporter and bureau manager at United Press International (UPS) from 1957 - 1959.

Sam was a producer in the news department of WBZ in Boston from 1960 - 1961 and KSTP-TV in Minneapolis from 1962 -1966.

Sam's commitment to service was evident in his military career. He served as an infantry officer in the US military and ended his service on the general staff of the ninth infantry division - with an honorable discharge in 1962.

In 1966, Sam came West to develop broadcast journalism at the School of Journalism at the University of Colorado. He was active in University faculty governance and was the first Secretary of the Boulder Faculty Assembly. Sam enjoyed meeting and interacting with other faculty members from diverse disciplines on campus, including the CU Torch Club. He taught thousands of students over 30 years in subjects ranging from broadcast news to public relations to economic and political aspects of mass communication before retirement in 1996.

Fascinated by TV news broadcasting, he was also a reporter, producer, and weekend news director at KMGH-TV in Denver from 1974-1976 and, in 1976, a consultant to Denver's KOA-V, which is now KCNC-TV. He also consulted with the Defense Information School for 12 years and served on the advisory board for the Pew Center for Civic Journalism and other non-profits.

Sam was known for being an avid stock investor with a quick wit and a love for the Boston Red Sox. His former students loved him.

Sam is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ann-Marie Kuczun; his sons Theodore and Kyle; and his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Holy Transfiguration of Christ Orthodox Cathedral in Denver.