Samuel Senkow, II
Samuel Senkow, II, 75, of Riverton, Wyoming, passed away on Thursday, September 11, 2025, in Lander, Wyoming.
Funeral Mass will be recited 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Saint Stephen’s Catholic Church.
Sam was born on Friday, August 11, 1950, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, to Samuel and Irene (Bickel) Senkow. Of Ukrainian heritage, he was a devout Christian and a member of the Russian Orthodox Faith.
He was adopted by Pearl Buck and grew up at The Pearl S. Buck Foundation. He graduated from Pennridge High School in 1970 and later attended college in Germany through the foundation.
He moved to Bondurant, Wyoming, in 1975. There, he lived in a teepee for two years while he built a cabin that he fondly called “Kirstein.” In 1995, he moved to Riverton to his last home.
Sam led a full and adventurous life! From Pennsylvania, Sam’s involvement with The Worldwide Children’s Foundation (including serving as its president) took him all over the world. Although not having any children of his own, he found many to call his own. He worked as a filmmaker and writer for many TV and radio programs such as National Geographic, BBC, CBC, Nickelodeon, and Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. He was a security agent for the Pinkertons and was also a Quick Draw shooting champion.
Sam was a member of the Wyoming Weapon Collectors Association, The National Geographic Society, Fort Bridger’s Traders Guild, the National Muzzleloader Rifle Association, the American Federation of TV and Radio Artists, and was a lifetime member of the NRA.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Sam enjoyed gunsmithing and making knives, gun trading, shooting, and mountain man rendezvous. He was a trained Samurai. Sam had a pet cougar and once wrestled a grizzly bear. His fighting spirit kept him in this world longer than the average man. Sam was no average man. He will be missed by many—especially his best friend, Natasha (his cat).
He is survived by his sister, Victoria Robinson; a brother-in-law, Jack Spanninger; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Irene (Bickel) Senkow; and sisters, Florence Spanninger and Nancy Kendust.
Online condolences may be made at www.TheDavisFuneralHome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments of Riverton, Wyoming.