20/02/2026
We were devastated this week to hear of Sam Welch's passing. Not only was Sam the kind of friend you call family, but he was also one of the very first members of Blue Water Divers' crew - a true original. Our favourite story of Sam from those days was when a film star ventured into the dive shop and Sam asked, 'Are you the real Robert De Niro, or a Robert De Niro look alike?' On confirmation that it was the real Robert De Niro, Sam offered his hand and said, 'Well how do you do, I'm the real Sam Welch.'
Back in the days of yore, when Sam and Muffy were still bachelors, they were also roommates. Given Muffy's utter lack of domestic survival skills, it was often joked that Sam was Muffy's butler. Indeed, in those days, Sam saved him from dehydration, starvation, and many a potential house fire.
In truth, there are far too many wonderful memories to recount here, so instead we will say this; words cannot express how much we already miss you. Our community shines a little dimmer without your light and our knowledge will be a little duller without your random factoids. Wherever you venture next, may the road rise up to meet you and may the wind be always at your back. Until we meet again, Godspeed.
