He was active in Scouting and played with Legos. But Sam, as everyone called him, also enjoyed World War II trivia and would greet visitors at family gatherings.

"He had a pretty tender heart, even though he had big muscles," said Joseph Allen, 12, who called himself Sam's best friend.

Sam, of Pleasant Grove, died Sunday night after a black bear dragged him from his tent in American Fork Canyon. Wildlife authorities say it's the first fatal bear attack in Utah's recorded history.

Some of those who knew Sam discussed his life and death Tuesday.

"I had a very difficult time sleeping last night thinking about the final minutes of my grandson's life," said Eldon Ives, the boy's grandfather.

Trembling with emotion, Eldon Ives described Sam as an outgoing boy who recently stood at the front door of a family gathering and told visitors, "I'm Sam Ives. Welcome to our home."

Sam was due to enter the Boy Scouts and sixth grade at Valley View Elementary School in Pleasant Grove, where he participated in the chess club. He had an inquisitive nature and enjoyed science and experimenting, Eldon Ives said. He was reading The Red Badge of Courage with his grandmother.

"We were looking forward to seeing what a special young man he would be when he grew up," Eldon Ives said.

Joseph, who met Sam four years ago through Cub Scouts, recalled Sam using Legos to construct space stations, battle cruisers and watch towers. Sam once made a naval cruiser out of Legos that stretched the length of his yard, Joseph said. "I would have thought he'd make a great architect," Joseph said.

Sam also loved war history and would share World War II trivia with friends.

Although teary-eye, Joseph happily reminisced about Sam - about the imagined space wars, the cushion fortresses, the special whistle he had to call his cat.

Joseph's mother, Kelly Allen, described Sam as a thoughtful boy who forged a bond with her son and stood up when they were bullied.

"It was good for them to have each other," she said. "They would support each other and be there for each other."

Charles Penrod, who lives a few doors from Sam's family, said Sam would keep other children from playing in the street.

"He was just the friendliest kid in the neighborhood. He'd always stop to talk to you," Penrod said. "He really seemed to take care of his little brother and the little kid next door."

Former neighbor Susan Escalante, who was Sam's Webelos leader, brought flowers and a letter to the Ives' doorstep Tuesday afternoon. "He befriended everyone in the [Webelos] group," she said.

She described Sam as a meticulous worker who would spend lots of time on his Scouting projects. She used to tell him he could be a mechanical engineer.

Sam also enjoyed camping and the outdoors, Eldon Ives said. The tent from which Sam was taken was a Father's Day present to the boy's stepfather. The family - Sam, his mother, stepfather and 6-year-old brother - were using the tent for the first time Sunday, Eldon Ives said.

Sam's parents, mother Rebecca Ives and stepfather Timothy Mulvey, express their gratitude to the community but requested privacy, the grandfather said.

Memorial services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Olpin Family Mortuary in Pleasant Grove for friends and family only, said family spokesman Brad Rawlins.

"It's been like a surreal nightmare," Eldon Ives said. "We need time to grieve."

ncarlisle@sltrib.com

Fear in the woods

Who's in charge?

The U.S. Forest Service manages campgrounds in national forests in Utah

The State Division of Wildlife Resources manages bears and other wildlife in those forests.

* The U.S. Forest Service manages campgrounds in national forests in Utah.

* The State Division of Wildlife Resources manages bears and other wildlife in those forests.