He was born in Seoul when it was just Korea. There was no South Korea yet.
He was born in 1934 when the Great Depression was approaching its mid-point.
He was born and schooled as a Buddhist.
Tea Sam Roe, an unusual name, an unusual life.
The journey from Dr. Roe’s beginning to his Alabama destination was most unlikely and fascinating. How did he get from there to here?
Tea Sam Roe, Ph.D., died Thursday, December 5, 2024. He was one of Samford University’s longest-serving faculty members, devoting 42 years to teaching and inspiring students at the McWhorter School of Pharmacy.
Hundreds of Alabama pharmacists learned their trade under Dr. Roe.
Dr. Roe began his academic and personal development at a Buddhist monastery, where he spent 12 years honing his discipline and intellect. After earning his Ph.D. from Seoul National University, his path took him through military service in both the Korean and United States Air Forces, where he rose to the rank of colonel.
Roe joined Howard College, now Samford University, in 1964 as an instructor in the pharmacy program and later earned his American pharmacy degree from Samford in 1965.
Dr. Roe conceived and led innovations, including Samford's first curriculum in Nursing Home Pharmacy and Herbal Medicine. He fathered a groundbreaking clinical training exchange program with Meijo University in Japan.
As an instructor, Dr. Roe used his expertise in pharmaceutics and chemical engineering to elevate the academic experience in his classroom. His effective teaching earned him the George Macon Memorial Award for inspiring greatness in students.
Dr. Roe authored seven textbooks, contributed to peer-reviewed journals and presented research at international conferences.
A champion of cultural exchange, Dr. Roe also founded the American Asian Cultural Foundation to promote artistic and cultural relations between Alabama and Asian countries. That had been the life journey that Dr. Roe made, and he perpetuated it for others in the cultural exchange.
In reflecting on Roe’s life, McWhorter School of Pharmacy Dean Michael Crouch said, "Roe’s impact at Samford continues through the stories shared by former students and colleagues. It’s heartwarming to hear these stories when I meet with alumni. There are so many, and each one underscores Roe’s remarkable life, dedication and positive influence on those he taught.”
Roe established the "Tea Sam Roe Pharmacy Fund," an endowed scholarship formed in his honor in 2008.
Services for Tea Sam Roe will be Thursday at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham. The visitation will be noon until 2 p.m., and the funeral service at 2 p.m.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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