I would like to express my sincere condolence to Jean and all family for their great loss. My first meeting with Sam dated on 2009, when I approached him for a research project. His first words to me were "Please call me Sam, not Professor Machin, as I tend to be very informal" and I understood that he was a great person. It was an honor to meet him and collaborate with him. May you rest in peace Sam! All the best, Roberta Palla