Samuel A. Wilson, 93, high school teacher and Navy vet

BEING THE offspring of a high-school teacher can be a mixed blessing.

There is, of course, the pride in having a father who was given the duty of enlightening the minds of other youngsters.

But there was also a little uneasiness about whether everyone liked your father.

"My brother, Charles, and I were often stopped by fellas who said, 'Is your pop Mr. Wilson?' " his son, Kenneth, said.

"Of course, we never knew how to answer that for fear that fisticuffs could ensue. However, every one of them said, 'Your Pop sure is cool.' "

"We often wondered if they were talking about the same Mr. Wilson that we knew," Kenneth added, describing the sometimes disconnect between public and private postures.

Samuel A. Wilson, who taught at Overbrook and Northeast high schools, a Navy veteran of two wars and devoted family man, died of gastrointestinal complications on Sept. 15. He was 93 and was living in Henderson, N.C., but had formerly lived in West Philadelphia.

Sam Wilson was born in Carroll County, Tenn., one of the six children of Elizabeth and Copie Wilson. After the family relocated to Hillsboro, Md., Sam sent for his childhood sweetheart, Maureen, whom he married in 1941.

He was a Navy veteran of World War II. After the war, he took a job at Boeing and joined the Naval Reserves. It was mostly as a way to collect some extra money, his son said. He didn't think there was any chance of being called to fight in another war.

He was wrong. When the Korean War broke out, Sam was called back to active duty.

"Upon returning from service, he vowed not to repeat the same mistake twice and tempt fate," Kenneth said. "He did not re-up in the reserves."

Sam enrolled at Cheyney University, received his bachelor's degree and went on to the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a master's in education.

His first teaching job was at Overbrook High School. He then began teaching at Northeast High before his retirement 34 years ago.

"His unpaid teaching experiences included the instruction of my brother and me in politics, the ways of good citizenship, life skills, and the importance of education," Kenneth said.

"He often attempted to lecture his wife, but met with mixed results in that endeavor. As his family and friends knew, Sam was always in teaching mode."

To relax, Sam enjoyed walking, reading and carpentry.

"My dad was a highly intelligent and accomplished man, although he occasionally expressed a desire to have achieved more success in life," Kenneth said.

"What I know is that he led a very successful life indeed. We should all have the life experiences, the longevity and success that he achieved. He carried himself supremely in public and private and, as we, his sons, came to understand, he sure was cool!"

Sam's wife of 64 years died in 2005. His son Charles died in 2000. Besides Kenneth, he is survived by three siblings, Helen, Ardel and Vernon, and three grandchildren.

Services: Graveside service 11 a.m. tomorrow at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd.