Samuel “Sam” Penn, 97

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SUNRISE, Fla. – Samuel Penn, a longtime resident of Sunrise, Fla, died November 30. He was the husband of Loretta Penn, deceased July 22, 2011, for over 70 years. Born in Providence, he was the son of Harry and Sadie (Zura) Penn. He graduated from Hope High School and the University Rhode Island, with a B.S. in chemical engineering, Phi Beta Kappa. While working for the U.S. Weather Bureau, he was selected to teach meteorology at M.I.T. to pilots and engineers during WW II while earning his Masters Degree in Meteorology.

He returned to the U.S. Weather Bureau at Logan Airport, Mass., until transferring to the Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford, Mass., where he was involved in upper atmospheric research, U-2 utilization weather monitoring and computer based forecasting until his retirement at age 55.

He was a voracious reader, president of his computer club, avid bridge player, golfer and tennis player until his early 80s. He was volunteer math teacher at Plantation High School and president of his condo association at Omega in Plantation.

He was the brother of David E. Penn, Pawtucket, the late Leo, Julius, Raymond, Robert Penn and Esther Berson. He is also survived by his children, Renee and husband, Michael Coplan of Milford, Conn., and Barry and wife Susan Penn of Wynnewood, Pa.; grandchildren, Scott Coplan and wife Susi D’Ambria of N.Y., Neil and wife, Ronna Coplan of Mass., Reuben and Aaron Penn; great-grandchildren, Nathan Coplan, Emily Coplan, Daniel Coplan, Rachel Coplan and Sophie Hardin.

Contributions may be made to Wills Eye Hospital, 840 Walnut Street, Suite 1540, Philadelphia, PA 19107, willseye.org, the Daniel Cantor Senior Center, 5000 Nob Hill Road, Sunrise, FL 33351 or Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 15, 45 New Haven Avenue, Milford, CT 06460.