Sam's impact on the world through his love of music is inspirational.

-Sincerely,
Brooke Mackintosh

I've loved Sam since I first saw him play at my junior high school more than forty-five years ago.

I have loved Sam's music all my life. I was fortunate to know him through my grandfather, Russell Raitt, who lived down the street from him. One of my fondest memories is coming to a children's concert at his house, where he asked us for any requests. I was the first to raise my hand and ask for The Frog Song, a song I still love, and have now played for my two daughters. He was a beautiful man.

This is not a joke, my name is Sam Hinton too. I'm from England and don't know who Sam Hinton did that made him so popular.

old apprecicator since I was a young appreciator

I just found out about Sam and am sorry to hear about his passing. In the 60's I was an admissions evaluator and worked with him at UCSD when my husband was in grad school. I probably don't need to tell you what a wonderful person he was. He was a treasure, and I always felt fortunate to have known him. He definitely made the world around him a better place. Your family must have been very proud of him.
Sincerely,
Nan Williamson

I had the honor of hearins Sam perform many times at southern California folk festivals in the 1980's, and the honor of helping him to carry in all of his vast collection of instruments when I was stage managing at the Claremont Spring Folk Festival one night.

Sam and his music have brought joy to my life. My mainstay warmup song I stole from Sam:

Black socks, they never get dirty.
The longer you wear them
the stronger they get.
Sometimes I think I should wash them,
but something inside me says
'Don't wash them yet!'

Sam, thank you for your gift of music to our world. I miss you.

- Patrick

To Leanne and Adam, and to all the rest of Sam's extended family,

It was so very good to meet you at Sam's memorial celebration. With all the scrap books, pictures and, especially, the wide-screen videos of him performing, I felt like Sam was on the premises.

After 50 years, I arrived in La Jolla knowing not one person in the crowed but, by the time my daughter and I left, I felt that I had made several new friends. In addition to playing my own harmonica songs, singing "Whoever Shall Have Some Good Peanuts" and (my knock-off) "Whoever Shall Have Some Good Chop Suey" with my daughter (for the first time ever in public) was a great blessing to me.

I'm sure that Sam would have approved of every minute of the entire celebration. It was magical and I left Prof. Munk's "Seiche" residence with internal waves of happiness pulsating through my mind and body. A great memory of a great farewell to a great and wonderful man!

Dick Krejsa

In 1972 while I was a freshman at UCI, I stumbled upon a recording of Sam at the Newport Folk Festival and became an avid fan for the next 30+ years. It was only natural that after attending concerts in La Jolla and SDFHS festivals in San Diego that years later I would introduce my children to the wonders of his performances. We shared the joy of hearing sea shantys on the Star of India to his recorded stories and music that we listened to with them at home and on long car rides. So many people enriched by a life well lived and so generously shared! Our condolences to the family and all of us who were made to feel like family as well.

We saw you perform many times and then took our kids to see you. We listened to your songs in the car and tried to sing them ourselves around the campfire. My favorite was when you played the garden hose! We will miss you.

I saw Mr. Hinton perform at Bird Rock elementary in 1985, I was in the second grade. He was a great performer and I've never forgotten his performance.

I met Sam shortly after I arrived at Scripps in 1965 but learned of his work when I worked at the Vancouver Public Aquarium, Sam was a true pioneer in the aquarium field and was well thought of by his colleagues and fellow pioneers such as Chris Coates of the New York Aquarium and Earl Herald of the Steinhart Aquarium. Among other things he was known for his artistic labels which decorated the aquarium as well as for his educational field trips for children,the importance of which was ignored by the institution at that time. He along with Roger Revelle founded the Junior Oceanographers, a classic outreach program ,enjoyed by parents as well as their children. I admire Sam for his good work and his many contributions to society.

So sorry to learn, only today, of Sam's death. He surely brought joy to my family and extended family.

Elspeth

Had Sam not been so multi-talented and concentrated solely on folk song, he would have likely attained a status comparable to Pete Seeger.

My children were raised on his renditions of folk songs. I corresponded with him very, very briefly -- but, long enough to know that he was a true gentleman.

Thank you Sam - I "fell in love" with you in 1960 during an extension class on Sea Life, you were so kind and gentle, cute and smart. Much later, you autographed my copy of your children's album. That record was a mainstay in my Second Grade classes over the years:
"Who ever shall have some good peanuts" brings tears of laughter to my heart. You had a lasting impact on so many - the mark of an angel.

Bless your beautiful spirit. xxxooo

Just played Whoever Shally Have Some Good Peanuts for the children...and happened to look at the SH website and so sad to hear of his passing...but long rich life in which he enriched the masses. Peace to SH and his family and thank you for the multitude of gifts that he has given the world.

I took a class from Sam about 1993 in using folksongs in teaching (at U.C. extension in Santa Clara). The class was great, but even better was knowing Sam. He was a role-model for a folksinging teacher, writer, musician, etc. And even though I only knew him for three or four days, he was an example of a sweet, honest, skilled, humble, gentle westerner, that is, a hero. I'll never forget his generosity and kindness. I gave him a songbook I was working on, and he gave me a nearly complete set of his tapes. Cherished recordings.

So sad to hear of Sam's passing. I had the pleasure of sharing his stage at the Claremont Folk Festival back in the mid 80's and there I realized what a National treasure he was. He brought joy to countless thousands of folks young & old by showing them the pleasure to be found in music, song & story. My condolences to his family and I miss you Sam. Redmond O Colonies

It was such a treasure to know Sam.
(I am Bob Hamburger's sister)

My children adored a record we had of him singing songs for kids. I wish I still had a copy of it!!!

My deepest sympathies.

Love, Evy

A respectful tribute from a marine biologist wanna-be and former harmonica player to a wonderful with a big heart. Please maintain the websit so that more and more people can learn about Sam's life and work. Blessings to all of you

Gratefully,

Eko Little