Published August 13, 2025 | Updated August 14, 2025
Richard "Dick" Sameth, longtime second-generation leader and vice president of Western Pest Services, who resided in Mantoloking, N.J., and Vero Beach, Fla., passed away surrounded by family on Aug. 10 in Vero Beach. He was 88 years old.
Western was founded by J. Edwin (J.E.) Sameth in the basement of his Newark, N.J., home in 1928. In 1960, J.E.’s children, sons Dick and Robert, and daughter Jeanne, joined the family business and eventually took ownership.
Dick was a 1996 PCT Crown Leadership Award winner, recognized for leading the company through a period of steady growth, his commitment to the pest control field and the fostering a family-like atmosphere among his employees.
By 2004, Western had grown to become the eighth largest pest control company in the U.S. That same year, Rollins purchased Western Pest Services (including subsidiary Western Fumigation) from the Sameth family. Dick was actively involved in the family business for 50 years before retiring.
Dick served as the president of the New Jersey Pest Management Association in 1980, and sat on the New Jersey Pesticide Control Council from 1974 to 1987. He was the third member of his family to serve as president of the then National Pest Control Association (NPCA), now known as the National Pest Management Association, from 1996-1997. He also was a longtime member of NPCA’s Government Affairs committee.
Dick’s commitment to community service was a constant throughout his life. While he and Polly raised their family in Westfield, N.J., he served as president of the United Way and the YMCA. They also enjoyed spending time at Echo Lake Country Club. After moving to Mantoloking, he devoted time to the Mantoloking Town Council and Planning Board, Trust for Public Lands, Pt. Pleasant Beach Public Education Foundation, Bay Head Historical Society and served as Trustees of Save Barnegat Bay and St. Simon-by-the-Sea Church.
Dick served as Commodore of Mantoloking Yacht Club and also enjoyed time at Bay Head Yacht Club and Manasquan River Golf Club. In the cold of winter, Dick and Polly retreated to Vero Beach where they enjoyed many years with friends. During this time, Dick was involved with the Moorings Club and was also Commodore of the Moorings Yacht Club. They also enjoyed time at Quail Valley Club. Dick dedicated his time and energy as a trustee of the St. Edward’s School, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
Dick was married to his high school sweetheart, Polly, of 62 years and the couple had four children — John, Jeff, Jill and Jennifer.
Dick had a lifelong love of the water. Whether sailing in regattas, enjoying raft-ups with friends or exploring the Intracoastal Waterway, he was always happiest on a boat.
PCT will continue to update this story throughout the week with comments from industry leaders on Dick’s commitment to the pest control industry. If you would like to share a memory of Dick Sameth email us at https://www.pctonline.com/contact/.
