We tragically lost our beloved son, Cheikh Samb, in a car accident less than a week after his 21st birthday. A senior at Virginia Tech, Cheikh was pursuing a double major in Business Information Systems and Management Consulting and Analytics, with a bright future ahead of him. In His boundless wisdom, God chose to call Cheikh home at such a tender age. We strive to accept His plan and honor His will.

Cheikh was the most caring, loving, and generous person we have ever known. The many messages we received from his friends, his school community, and even people we had never met revealed just how deeply he touched the lives of others. He had a remarkable ability to connect with people from all walks of life and make each person feel heard and seen.

Cheikh’s generosity and commitment to serving others were evident from an early age. One story that has always stayed with us occurred when he was about five years old. During a family trip to Senegal, his uncle took him and his brother out for ice cream one Sunday. When they returned home, Cheikh stepped out of the car without his shoes. His uncle searched the car, assuming he had left them behind, but they were nowhere to be found. When asked what had happened, Cheikh explained that he had seen a barefoot child begging at a stoplight and had given him his shoes. That was our son - selfless, compassionate, and always ready to uplift others, especially those less fortunate.

As Cheikh’s family, we have been deeply moved by the profound impact he had on everyone he encountered. We want his legacy to endure far beyond his brief time on this earth. In his honor, we are establishing the “Cheikh Samb Family Foundation” to provide educational opportunities and access to clean water for underserved communities in his beloved Senegal. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donating whatever you can to support the Foundation’s mission. This is what Cheikh would have wanted.

This Foundation represents an enduring commitment from our family. Every donation will directly support its mission, and we are deeply grateful to our friends and family for helping us carry Cheikh’s legacy forward.