Samuel Wilson Hirt

1940-2023

Samuel Wilson Hirt, 82, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, died Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, at home with family at his side following a lengthy illness. He was born Aug. 28, 1940 in Salem, Ohio. He grew up in East Palestine, Ohio. Sam was the son of the late Edna Mae Leasure Hirt and the late Edwin Lovell Hirt. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Hirt Curl, and brother, Steven K. Hirt.

Sam is survived by his wife, Melanie Duncan Hirt; daughter, Betsy Johnson and husband Richard; son, Shawn Hirt and wife Peni; and son, Brett Hirt and wife Kindra; grandchildren, Laura Beth Hirt-Sharpe, Alexa Rohlman, Bailey Johnson, Meredith Mims and Nathanael Johnson; and great-grandchildren Galen Turner, Apollo Turner, Baker Rohlman and Sterling Mims.

Sam completed his undergraduate work in 1962 at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio. Next, he graduated from George Peabody College for Teachers of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, with two additional degrees — MS and Ed.S. Sam went on to develop programs at Vanderbilt University for students, faculty and staff when he became director of Campus Recreation, Club Sports and Intramurals. For 25 years his office was located in Memorial Gymnasium. During these years he saw the desperate need for a facility specifically for the students to meet their recreation needs. Therefore, Sam was instrumental in achieving the construction of Vanderbilt’s Student Recreation Facility. He worked there for an additional 25 years. Sam achieved a 50-year milestone upon retiring in 2013. Upon retirement, when asked what he missed most he would say “my students” and “my staff.”

Sam was his high school president (class of 1958) and an Eagle Scout. Sam’s first love was always basketball. He received a basketball scholarship to Marietta and refereed basketball in Nashville for 25 years. In 1962 Sam was selected as All American for Small Colleges for basketball. In 1991 he was inducted into Marietta College’s Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1999 Sam was honored to be elected president of his professional organization, National Intramural Recreation Sports Association (NIRSA) for a three-year stint. He received NIRSA’s Honor Award in 2004.

Sam loved the Lord and was a member of Nashville First Baptist Church. He served as a deacon in two previous churches as well as interim youth minister. He always demonstrated a servant’s heart and was willing to help wherever he saw the need. For years he mowed lawns for elderly neighbors. He loved children and enjoyed teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Demonstrating a love for music, Sam and Melanie were season ticket holders at the Nashville Symphony for more than 30 years. Sam loved his family and always prioritized spending time with them.

A memorial service is being planned for a future date at Nashville First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to SamaritansPurse.org, Nashville First Baptist Church: NashvilleFirst.org, or InTouch Ministries of Atlanta, GA 1-800-789-1473.

9/7/23