Samuel Emmerson Bridenstine was born November 28, 1945 in Cottage Grove, OR.  He died November 4, 2019 in Coos Bay, OR.  He was the son of Olaf E. and Mary F. (Doolittle) Bridenstine.  Sam grew up in the Dorena area near Cottage Grove and graduated from Cottage Grove Senior High School in 1964.  He served in the U.S. Navy stationed in Guam.

He is survived by his partner, Lynda Holland, his sisters Frances O. Banton (husband, Thomas), and Katie B. Millar (husband, Donald); Lynda’s daughters and son, Jonna Bennett (daughter Katera and son Jeremy), Riche Holland, and Ronda Bennett Vincent.  Great grandchildren, Ragein and Belle Reason, Tionna Dalton, Eli and Valeri Bennett. Nieces and nephew, Kathy O. Takahashi (husband Yoshiaki and daughters Rachel and Lily), Kim R. Ichikawa (husband Ryu and daughter Jun), Kris A. Banton (wife Christi, son Dillon, daughter Kiely Jean Pilon ((husband Brennan and daughter Adelyn)) and daughter Mollie), Anna J. Millar Scherdnik (daughters Chloe and Isabella).  He is also survived by numerous cousins, his business partner and friend Bob McLain, fellow balloon logger and friend Don Button and others.

Sam was active, curious, entrepreneurial and a very hard worker all of his life, he was a logger and a lover of the forest. He was an inventor, a mechanic, an investor, a developer and a dowser. Sam was a great storyteller and family historian, his memory was sharp all the days of his life. He will be greatly missed.

Celebration for Life will be held on November 12, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Coos Bay Chapel.

Memorials in Coos Bay and Cottage Grove will be arranged for a later date in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree or give to the charity of your choice.