Samuel Onyebuchukwu Agbo.

Samuel Onyebuchukwu Agbo
Atascadero, California
Nov. 29, 1948 – Sept. 21, 2024

Memorial service will be held on Nov. 2

– With great sorrow, The Agbo family announces the unexpected passing of Professor Samuel O. Agbo of Udah, Enugu-Ezike, Nigeria, aged 75. Sam, or “Sammy” to those he was dearest to, was the second of ten children and the first son of Joy Agboa, formally trained housewife, and Zephaniah Ugwu Agboa self-educated carpenter and preacher.

As the first in his family and Udah to attend and complete elementary school, secondary school, and university, Samuel earned a B.S. with honors in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nsukka, Nigeria (UNN) in 1975. Following his university education, he became a member of the first cohort of 30 UNN Junior Fellows hand-picked by the government of Nigeria to pursue a graduate education in the United States.

In this program, Samuel, with the immense support of his then-wife Sophia, obtained an M.S.E. from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor in 1978. He went on to receive his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1984 and an M.B.A. in Finance in 1985, both from the University of Houston.

Samuel began his 40-year teaching and research career as a lecturer at Texas Southern University in 1984 and went on to become a professor at Florida Atlantic University in 1986. His career eventually brought him to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, as a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering in 1991, where he remained.

Between hefty teaching schedules and helping raise six children, Samuel found time to pursue his own research interests as a summer faculty research fellow at the prestigious AT&T Bell Labs and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Samuel Agbo’s passion for education and teaching was matched only by his faith in God and his love for family. He and Sophia provided material support for the uplift and education of his siblings and extended family. He sought to live out his Christian values by supporting development projects in his native Nigeria. He imparted his faith to his children to impress upon them the importance of seeking God for wisdom and guidance.

“Sammy” was a faithful son, dedicated brother, steadfast father, pragmatic husband, and dear friend. He is survived by: his six children, Chioma Agbo, Ngozi Agbo, Nwamaka Agbo, Peter Agbo, Ogochukwu Agbo, and Joseph Agbo; his first wife and mother of his children Sophia Agbo; his wife Esther Agbo; three grandchildren; seven siblings; an abundance of nieces and nephews; and many friends.

He was infinitely curious and remained a lifelong student of science, philosophy, and religion. He loved sharp suits, bowties, dancing to music, long talks with good friends over great food, and telling enriching stories to counsel his children.

A memorial service for Professor Samuel Onyebuchukwu Agbo will be held on Nov. 2, 2024, at 2 p.m. at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church located at 301 Trinity Ave. in Arroyo Grande, CA. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that any memorial donations to cover the costs for his funeral arrangements be made through Zelle to [email protected] or Venmo to @NwamakaAgbo.

Published by San Luis Obispo County Tribune from Oct. 29 to Oct. 31, 2024.

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