Obituaries

Samuel D. Delich

Sam Delich, a managing partner with the San Francisco-based maritime and transportation law firm of Flynn, Delich and Wise, died unexpectedly on Jan. 4, 2004. He was 63.

Delich was renowned nationally as an expert in insurance coverage matters relating to the transportation industry and was frequently called upon by clients to assist local counsel both in the United States and internationally in connection with the intermodal aspects of transportation. His trial career spanned more than three decades and he was lead counsel in more than 23 appellate cases reported in state and federal reporters.

In 2000, Delich drafted and filed an amicus curiae brief with the United States Supreme Court, which was subsequently used in the establishment of important principals relating to the preemption of state law by federal law in connection with the control of oil pollution in state waters.

Delich received joint degrees (his J.D. and an MBA) from Cornell University in 1966. He was the managing partner of the San Francisco law firm of Ruporcht, Delich and U'Ron from 1970 until 1977, and a partner of Graham and James from 1978 until 1992 where he managed the firm's maritime department.

Delich and four other partners formed Flynn, Delich and Wise in 1992. Based in San Francisco, the firm also has offices in Long Beach.

Born in Kemmerer in 1940, Delich was raised on the Aaron McGinnis ranch, where he worked his way through high school and college. He graduated from Harvey Mudd College with a degree in engineering in 1962.

Delich is survived by his parents, Sam Delich of Reno and Caroline McGinnis of Kemmerer; by his longtime companion Kim Frost of Healdsburg; as well as by his three children and step-children Trevan of Santa Rose, Stephanie Rosco of Alamecia and Jeremy of Grass Valley; six grandchildren; and by his brother Myles McGinnis and cousin Robert Brunski, both of Kemmerer.