Samuel C. Butler
Butler, Samuel C.
Adored husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, colleague and friend.
Born March 10, 1930, in Logansport, Indiana to Jane Flynn and Melvin Butler. Married to Sally Thackston on June 28, 1952 until her death in October, 2023. Sally and he had three children: Sam (Susan Jett), Leigh (Don Fowley) and Elizabeth (Liz) Boissard (Chris); nine grandchildren, whom they adored and who adored them: Eliza (Jake Hudson), Mimi (Alex Minasian), Alison and Henry Butler; Nick (Derek Blasberg) and Jesse Brown (Zach Jhonk); and Maggie (Larsson Burch), Anna and Sam (Britt) Boissard; and eight great-grandchildren: Rosie, Ben and Lea Hudson; Teddy and Josephine Minasian; Grace and Noah Blasberg-Brown; and Callie Johnk. Sam is also survived by 2 sisters, Jane Kahle and Anne Hoover and their three children Katie Connor and John Kahle, and Mindy MacAnally.
Sam graduated as valedictorian from Culver Military Academy in 1947, lettering in basketball and football; from Harvard College in 1951, Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, receiving a Sheldon Travelling Fellowship and lettering in football; from Harvard Law School 1954, magna cum laude, an editor of the Harvard Law Review, and the recipient of a Sears prize.
After clerking for Justice Sherman Minton of the United States Supreme Court and serving in the U.S. Army, he joined the New York law firm, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, in September 1956. Elected a partner in 1960, Sam served as presiding partner from 1980-98. His legal skills and sound business judgment also served him well as an elected director of several public companies. His involvement in educational and charitable activities included serving as a trustee for The New York Public Library (since 1978, Board Chairman 1999-2004); Vassar College (1969-77); the American Museum of Natural History (1989-93); The September 11th Fund (2001-04); Culver Academies (1981-2001). At Harvard, he was elected to its Board of Overseers in 1982 and served as the President of the Board for two years ending in 1988. He was also a member of several Visiting Committees, the Chairman of the Harvard College Fund, and a member of the Dean's Advisory Committee at the Law School from (1997-2011).
Over the years Sam received many awards, including the Learned Hand Human Relations Award from the American Jewish Committee; the Servant of Justice Award from The Legal Aid Society; the Lillian D. Ward Award from the Visiting Nurse Service of New York; the David T. W. McCord and Richard T. Flood '27 awards from the Harvard College Fund; the Harvard Law School Association Award; the Harvard Medal from the Harvard Alumni Association; and the Distinguished Service and the Man of the Year awards from Culver.
Most of all, he was the fearless leader of our family. Even with all his accomplishments and hours spent buried in a hardcover book, he always made time for us. Our many vacations included 3 safaris, white water rafting, the Galapagos, our National Parks, Tuscany, Hawaii and so many ski trips. He introduced us to Broadway musicals and a lifetime of their songs. Every Sunday there was a standing invitation to dinner at Lusardi’s or Chef Ho’s. We did Stave puzzles, made apple cider, ate vegetables from his garden, listened to his funny stories, and enjoyed his unique brand of mischief. The glass was always half full for Dad. He believed he could do anything he set his mind to and with the exception of mastering a foreign language (or carrying a tune) he pretty much did. And he always believed we could too. He was part of our lives for so long, and will be missed by everyone who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, the family would very much appreciate contributions to The Samuel C. Butler Historical Collections Endowment Fund at The New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018. A private service will be held at the New York Public Library at a later date.
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