Well-known folk singer, marine biologist dies

Sam Hinton, 91, a well-known San Diego folk singer and marine biologist, died Sept. 10.

He founded the San Diego Folk Music Society (https://

members.cox.net/sdfss/samhinton.htm) and did countless concerts in the area.

Hinton had a diverse and distinguished career. He is most famous for his music, especially his harmonica playing, but also taught at UCSD, published books and magazine articles on marine biology, and worked as a calligrapher and artist.

He was also curator of the aquarium and museum at Scripps Institution for many years, and produced more than 1,200 installments of an illustrated weekly newspaper feature called “The Ocean World” in the Union-Tribune.

He was a La Jolla resident from 1946 until 2007, when he moved to an assisted-living facility in the Bay Area.

He is survived by his son, Matt Hinton; his daughter, Leanne Hinton-Scott; two granddaughters, and a great-grandson. Family members said he is also survived by the millions of people to whom he brought joy throughout his life.