Samuel Attoh

Samuel Stephen Nii Kojo Armah Aryeetey-Attoh was born June 26, 1956, in Accra, Ghana. He was the last born and only son to Samuel Attoh and Cecilia Taiwo Attoh.

Samuel received his BA with Honors from the University of Ghana, his Masters from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and his Ph.D. from Boston University, Massachusetts.

Dr. Attoh began his academic career at the University of Toledo, where he was a Geography Professor from 1987 to 2005. During this time, he also served as Chairman of Geography and Planning department from 1996 to 2003. He served as a Fellow of the American Council on Education and Administrative Placement Intern Mentor at Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania, from 2003-2004.

In June 2005, Dr. Attoh became the Dean of the Graduate School for Loyola University Chicago and later added Associate Provost for Research and Centers to his title. In July of 2015, Dr. Attoh became the Interim Provost for Loyola University Chicago.

Dr. Attoh has served on the Doctoral Dissertation and Research Improvement Review Panel of the National Science Foundation, the Executive Committee of the Association of American Geographers, and was the former President of the Illinois Association of Graduate Schools. He was also a member of the Council of Graduate Schools Advisory Committee on Minorities in Graduate Education, the World Education Services Graduate Advisory Board, and the Board of the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Program.

Dr. Attoh was author of the book Geography of Sub-Saharan Africa (Prentice Hall, 2009) and contributed chapters in Global Change in Local Places (University of Cambridge Press, 2004), World Regional Geography (Prentice Hall) and the Columbia Gazetteer (Columbia University Press), he also published more than 30 journal articles and technical reports and presented more than 40 papers at national and international conferences.

Through his hard work, Dr. Attoh received recognition and honors, including ETS/MAGS Award to Graduate School for Excellence and Innovation in Graduate Education, Outstanding Professional Staff Award from LUC Office of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. Social Justice Award from the LUC Graduate Students of Color, Association of American Geographers Service Recognition, Key to the Community Award from the Ottawa Community Development Corporation, University of Toledo College of Arts and Science Dean’s Merit Award and Master Teacher Award, Outstanding Contribution to the African People’s Association from Bowling Green State University, Outstanding UUP-sponsored Urban Research Projects from Ohio Urban University Program, American Biographical Institute Board of Advisors, and has been featured in Who’s Who in America, Midwest, and World.

Samuel “Paa-Nii” was a devoted husband and father who worked tirelessly for his family and dedicated his life to being a provider. He was a devout Catholic, which showed through his integrity and kindness. His favorite prayers were the Sacred Heart Morning Prayer and Thanksgiving Psalm. Samuel also loved to travel, visiting countries such as London, El Salvador, and Brazil, enjoying many road trips with his family, driving while explaining the geography, or catching shows and hitting in the slots in Vegas with his wife (often hitting the jackpot)!

Samuel passed away, peacefully, at home, on Monday, February 6, 2017. He leaves, to cherish his memory, a dedicated wife of 36 years, Antoinette, dear children, Annette, Annabelle (cherished son-in-law Ian), Stefan, and Sasha. His two beloved grandsons: Jersey and Aidan. His walking buddy and dog, Shika. Four sisters: Sylvia, Patricia, Susan, and Tina. Father-in-law, Gilbert Alipui Sr. Preceded in death by his eldest sister, Naa-Dedei, he became like a second dad to her children, Leonne, Laurie Ann, and Leroy. Samuel also leaves behind a number of other nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, family, and friends. He will be sorely missed.

Originally published in the Bolingbrook-McCauley Funeral Chapel.