Samuel Lyndon Hessa

Samuel Lyndon Hessa, age 77, died in Nashville, Tenn. on Friday, August 18, 2017. He is survived by his beloved wife, Robbin Kaplan Hessa of thirty-one years; daughter, Anna Nicole Hessa; brother-in-law, B.Jay Kaplan (Pamela); niece, Jennifer Kaplan of Little Rock, Ark.; cousins, Julie Thomas Courtenay (Gary) of Auckland, NZ, and Marty Kooperman (Sherri) of Nashville, Tenn.; in addition to many dear friends.

Born in Nashville to Beatrice and Von David Hessa and also raised by grandparents Etta and Sam Slutsky, .

Sam was a proud graduate of West High School and Vanderbilt University. He was looking forward to his 55th Vanderbilt Class Reunion later this year. Following college, he moved to Norman, Okla. to pursue a Master’s of Science in Geology at the University of Oklahoma. He worked for the U.S. oceanographic office and traveled globally on naval ships. His passion for history led him to continue his studies at George Washington University, where he spent many fond years in Washington, DC devoting his time to becoming a great abstract painter. He also held active memberships in the Georgetown Jewish community and the National Press Club, where he was recognized for his meritorious service to correspondence of press, radio, and television in the nation’s capital. He later returned to Nashville to take care of his aging parents and built a successful career in environmental geology as a licensed professional geologist. An avid art and book collector, and connoisseur of fine wine, Sam prided himself in speaking eloquently to subjects ranging from World and American History to all genres of literature. He also worked as a sous-chef in Nashville’s vibrant early restaurant scene. Despite all these pursuits, nothing was more important to him than his devotion to his family. In 1985, he met the love of his life and soulmate Robbin and they married shortly after. But the greatest joy in his life came with the birth of his daughter Anna. Sam was a member of Sherith Israel Congregation.

Graveside services will be held at Temple Ohabi Shalom Cemetery on Sunday August 20, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. with Rabbi Saul Strosberg officiating. All are welcome to celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sherith Israel Congregation in his memory.