In Memoriam – Sam (Saman) Ghalamkari, Haskayne School of Business, Faculty of Arts

The University of Calgary was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sam Ghalamkari, a fourth-year student in the Haskayne School of Business and the Faculty of Arts. Sam passed away on Nov. 9, 2025.

There are some souls who enter this world carrying more light than their small bodies can hold. Sam was one of those rare souls.

Born in Tehran on the winter morning of Dec. 7, 2000, he arrived like a blessing — the first child, the first grandchild, the first spark of joy that transformed ordinary days into miracles.

As a little boy, he was sweetness, wonder, and innocence woven together. His laughter filled rooms, his curious eyes carried stories, and every step he took made life more beautiful for the family who adored him. Even from a young age, people noticed him — his gentle spirit, his kindness, and the way he listened to the world around him.

Sam’s childhood carried him across countries, from Tehran to Dubai and back again, before immigrating to Canada in 2013. Along the way, he grew to speak four languages —English, Farsi, Arabic, and French — each one representing a piece of the world he had lived in and understood.

In school, Sam shone brightly. At John G. Diefenbaker High School, he earned a gold medal in mathematics, a reflection not only of his intelligence, but of his endless curiosity. He loved carpentry, building things with his hands, shaping raw materials into something meaningful. He also discovered a natural gift for mechanics. After one bicycle repair course, he effortlessly took over fixing his father's bike, leaving the family amazed at how easily he mastered new skills.

He understood how things worked. He knew how to put pieces back together. He carried that same quiet ability into everything he touched.

Sam had a heart that listened deeply — to people, to animals, to the silence of the night. His love for cars was more than an interest; it was a passion. Only a manual transmission could satisfy him because he wanted to feel every shift, every vibration, every breath of the engine — just as he felt life so intensely.

At UCalgary, he pursued psychology and business administration, wanting to understand both the human mind and the world it creates. He planned a future built on knowledge, compassion, and ambition — a future he hoped would make his family proud.

His tenderness shone brightest in his love for animals. He volunteered at the Calgary Humane Society, giving his time, patience, and heart. A few years ago, he brought home a tiny Bichon-Shih Tzu puppy named Coco. From that moment, they belonged to each other.

Coco followed him everywhere — to the car, to the couch, to the mountains, to the campfires under the stars. Those campfire nights were Sam’s sanctuary. The fire before him, the forest surrounding him, Coco curled against him. These were the moments where his soul felt understood.

He loved nature deeply. He filled the house with flowers and plants, caring for them with the same quiet tenderness he showed to everyone he loved.

Sam’s life, though heartbreakingly short, was filled with depth, brilliance, and love. He leaves behind no unspoken kindness, no forgotten smile. Everyone who knew him carries a piece of his light now.

He was a gentle soul, a curious mind, a loyal friend, a beloved son, and the heartbeat of his family. Though he has left this world, his presence remains — in memory, in love, in the whisper of wind through the trees he adored, and in the eternal bond between a mother and her son.

Sam will be remembered not for the number of his years, but for the beauty he brought into them. His light continues — unbroken, unforgettable, and forever cherished.

A celebration of Sam’s life was held shortly after his passing in honour of his memory, achievements and the lasting impact he made on those around him.