I am writing on behalf of Samuel (Sam) Randlett’s family to share a little about his life with the Origami USA community. He died at home in Wisconsin in July 2023 with family present. In the 1960s Sam Randlett (1930-2023) and his wife Jean Randlett (1930-1969) published “The Best of Origami” and “The Art of Origami” in a pre-digital era, with a typewriter, paper and pencil, a Rapidograph pen and ink, lettering guides, French curves, tape and rubber cement. Their books are online through the Internet Archive: The Art of Origami, The Best of Origami.
Thelma Mason Randlett (1923-1989), who married Sam three years after Jean’s death, was active in origami in the Seattle area. Sam recounted that paper folder Ed Sullivan encouraged a long-distance friendship with Thelma, and in 1972 Sam and Thelma were married by the Rev. Robert Neale. Thelma joined the family in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where Sam worked as a piano instructor at local colleges and at home. Thelma worked as an entertainer at children’s birthdays as “Fancy the Clown.” Each child received a yellow flapping bird (designed by Sam) at the conclusion of her magic act.
Sam grew up with many characteristics of neurodivergence. His passion for piano formed the basis of his career as a teacher. His involvement in origami and magic led him to kindred spirits.
Sam was predeceased by most of his friends in the origami world. His early airmail correspondents included Bob Harbin and Ligia Montoya. Folders who visited the Randlett homes in Tennessee, Illinois and Wisconsin were Rae Cooker, Neal Elias, Ev Gloe, Joan Homewood, Eric Kenneway, Nathan Lissak, George Rhoads, Philip Shen, Jack Skillman and Harry Weiss. Sam enjoyed a postal and telephonic friendship with Stephen Weiss. He enjoyed visits with Milwaukee area folders and members of the Chicago Area Origami Society (CHAOS).
Although Sam did not use a computer, he continued to order and read printed books. He especially enjoyed the opportunity to review other folders’ draft publications to see if he could suggest ways to make good instructions just a bit clearer. Sam’s generation had the opportunity to observe the progression of origami from the simple models of the 1950s to the elegant, complex folds seen today.
Sam is survived by his four children, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren living in Alaska, New Mexico, New York and Ohio.
Anchorage, Alaska
December 18, 2024
