Sami Svendsen

Sami Severin Svendsen, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, formerly of Beverly Shores and Valparaiso, Indiana, a lover of life, wine, and good conversation, who was also a voracious reader and seeker of knowledge, died October 14, 2016 at the age of 101. He was an international broker of animal glands and sausage casings. He traveled the world when air travel was not so common place--when first class even had berths. When President Nixon opened up trade with China in 1973, the Chinese government asked the Chinese people here who would be a good person to teach the Chinese to prepare casings for sale to America. They recommended Sami Svendsen, so he was invited by the Chinese government to teach them. This was before China had prepared hotels and transportation for foreign travelers. Rickshaws were still in use as transportation.
Mr. Svendsen was recognized globally as an expert in the preparation, storage, shipment and use of all types of casings for stuffing sausage. He had 2 patents: #3148991 issued 9/15/1964 Means and Method of Packing Sausage Casings, and #72172528 issued 3/02/1965 Inserts usable in the preparation and shipment of natural gut casings, and a global patent DE 1532003B Verfahren zum Verpacken und Konservieren von Naturdaermen: A method of packaging and preservation of natural casings. He also invented a machine for stuffing casings. Mr. Svendsen served as chairman of INSCA (International Sausage Casing Association) from 1977-1979.
Mr. Svendsen was preceded in death by the love of his life, his administrative assistant, secretary, treasurer and mother of his five children, Geneva Greer Svendsen. His daughter, Judith Svendsen Allen also preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother, Norman Francis Svendsen of Chula Vista, CA. He is also survived by four children: Karen Svendsen Al-Saadi of Ann Arbor, MI; Nada Svendsen Lucibello Rapp (Dan) of Nokimis, FL; Janet Svendsen McAfee (John) of Osprey, FL; and Eric Norman Svendsen (Mary) of Chesterton, IN; thirteen grandchildren: Neda Marie Marks (Michael), Yasmin Suzanne Al-Saadi (Mark Etzkorn), Sami Amir Al-Saadi (Salena), Laith Erik Al-Saadi, Laura Allen Funchess (Lanny), John Christian Allen (Cyndi), Gina Lucibello Hansen (Robb), Tami Lucibello, Christine McAfee Vervisch (Scott), Rebecca McAfee Morris (Kevin), John Severin McAfee (Tina Kirkham);Carl Svendsen, Sarah Svendsen Corso (David); twenty three great grandchildren: Ian Marks, Meghan Marks, Vivian Al-Saadi, Violet Al-Saadi, Kent Funchess, Autum Funchess Dallas (Kenny), Chad Funchess, Summer Funchess, Stephen Allen, Peter Allen, Tyler Hansen, Blake Hansen, Alec Hansen, Brooke Hansen, Ryan Vervisch, Jacob Vervisch, Shae Vervisch, Gabriel Vervisch, J.B Morris, Zachary Morris, Maya McAfee, Jax McAfee, Kai McAfee; and three great-great grandchildren: Riley Ann Dallas, Lance Dallas, and Lindsey Dallas.
At his request a party will be given in honor of his life in July, 2017 followed by the distribution of his ashes to join those of his beloved Geneva.
The family would especially like to express our heartfelt thanks to the University of Michigan Health System--inpatient, outpatient, ER, home care, satellites in Northville and Livonia, and Med-Equip--for the excellent care Mr. Svendsen has received for the last six years. He was a devoted fan of anything to do with UMHS!!