The award-winning Herald Sun AFL and cricket reporter was talking on the phone with his mum while walking to meet a friend when he was hit by a truck driven by a 45-year-old Seaford man at the intersection of Bridge Rd and Church St in Richmond, Melbourne on August 20. The 35-year-old later died at The Alfred hospital from his critical injuries. Landsberger’s parents, Jake and Anne, remembered their youngest child and only son as a “caring and wonderful” person who would be deeply missed.
“Approximately 22 years ago our family stood in this same spot in this wonderful big hall celebrating Sam’s bar mitzvah, now we find ourselves in this exact hall in utter and complete devastation,” Dr Landsberger said. “I heard so many stories that parents should never ever have to bury their children, yet this is what we are doing. “He was a dedicated, hardworking journalist who loved his job.
“He brought so much joy to our lives. He lit up every room he entered, yet he lit up our entire lives.” Dr Landsberger said his son’s grade 2 teacher called him a “diamond” and it was the perfect word to describe him.
Dr Landsberger, a former Western Bulldogs doctor, recalled his favourite story about his son when he was 10 years old. “Sam had vomited all over his front, his chest was bright yellow,” he said. “I picked him up over the fence and we walked into the rooms to check him over .
.. (only to learn) the reason he was sick was he’d just consumed a jumbo box of Cheezels.
“From that time on, every member of the club would call him Cheezels. “At this moment it’s indescribable devastation we feel but also underlining gratitude for what he gave, a beautiful, gorgeous, caring young man who will never be forgotten and always be in our hearts.” Landsberger’s mother Anne – or Annie as he affectionately called her – said she’d always cherish her time with her only son.
“I had my baby and I had him for 35 years and now he’s missing,” she said. “I have many cherished memories of laughing and walking, whenever we went walking and stopped for a coffee, no cake. “He was the only child in the school who had such poor motor skills.
“He couldn’t kick a ball. I spent hours in the park trying to teach him to kick.” Mrs Landsberger shared how her son would be buried with a quilt she had made him during Covid.
“He’d lay on it or over it, it was always on his bed or on his lounge chair,” she said. “Now he will have me hugging him forever surrounded by his family's love.” Mrs Landsberger had been speaking on the phone to his son when he was hit by the truck.
“I wanted this baby Sam, so I grew him and I was with him until the end when he basically passed away on the footpath,” she said. “So we were together forever. “Hooray Sam but I know you haven’t gone.
There will be a massive hole in my heart. “I always treasured you and I know you treasured me. “Rest in peace my darling boy, I love you.
” Landsberger’s high school friend, William Kim, said the duo had shared many memories travelling the world together. Mr Kim said he remembered one trip to South America where Landsberger had taken upon himself every night to create a Brownlow Medal voting system for “best on ground” among the group of friends travelling together. “Sam was supposed to be best man at my wedding next month and he was supposed to be saying a few nice words about me and not the other way around,” Mr Kim said.
“How cruel and unpredictable life can be.” Since the news broke of his death, the AFL and sporting communities have shared fond memories of the man who spent his career writing about the highs and lows of each code. His loved ones will say their final farewell to Landsberger on Tuesday at the Temple Beth Israel in St Kilda.
“The entire AFL footy community is shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Sam in a tragic road accident,” his online funeral notice stated. “As well as being a talented and respected journalist, Sam was an ardent Bulldogs fan and had close family ties through his father Jake, the Western Bulldogs Club’s former long-term medical officer and Bulldogs life member. “His enthusiasm for the game and passion for his work was always evident and his positive approach and friendly nature will be fondly recalled by all who knew and worked with him.
“Sincere sympathies to Jake, Anne, Jess, Sarah and all of his extended family, friends and colleagues.” Meanwhile, the Seaford man who drove the truck that struck Landsberger is due to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 19. He was charged for refusing to provide a blood sample to police following the crash.
The man has also been given a notice banning him from driving until his first court appearance. The 45-year-old underwent the standard roadside alcohol and drug tests, which were both negative..
