AOTA mourns loss of Fred Sammons

AOTA is saddened to hear of the passing of Fred Sammons, PhD (Hon.), OT, FAOTA. Known for the adaptive devices he created and distributed, as well as the eponymous company he developed, Fred was passionate about advancing occupational therapy both personally and philanthropically through grants, scholarships, and donations that support research, education, and clinical programs. After joining the staff of the amputee clinic at Northwestern University in 1960, Fred began to design and build devices to assist individuals with disabilities in their everyday activities. Sammons-Preston started as a mail order business in 1958 and grew to a multimillion-dollar national business.

Fred received numerous AOTA awards, including the Roster of Fellows (1979), OT Award of Merit (1984), and the AOTA/AOTF Presidents’ Commendation in Honor of Wilma L. West (1994).

“Fred was a larger-than-life figure who enriched the occupational therapy community immeasurably. His commitment to volunteerism was inspiring,” said AOTA Chief Executive Officer Katie Jordan, OTD, MBA, OTR/L, FAOTA. “We send our deepest condolences to his family and to all in our community who feel this tremendous loss.”