University of Idaho Professor Struck and Killed By Lightning

Super sad news to report, a long time University of Idaho professor has been killed while climbing in the Swiss Alps when she got struck by lightning.

According to an article in the Spokesman Review, Samantha Ramsay, 41 years old, was an assistant professor at the University of Idaho. The University reports that she died last weekend in a freak accident after being struck by lightning while climbing Matterhorn.

U of I President Chuck Staben released a statement stating: “We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Samantha Ramsay, a highly regarded faculty member in our College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, we join the entire Vandal family in mourning the loss of a talented instructor, respected colleague and caring member of the UI community”

What makes this story even sadder is that Samantha is survived by her two young sons, Ryan age 12 and Reidar age 9.  Her husband passed away one year ago (Aug 4) after a long battle with brain cancer.

Ramsay had been a member of the faculty at the U of I since 2010.