Sam Lindberg
Essex — Sam Claes Lindberg, husband of the former Naomi de Langley Torrence, former husband of Amanda Atwood Lindberg, passed away at Essex Meadows, Essex, under the care of Hospice, Feb. 14, 2023. He was 91. Blessed with a strong will and ironic sense of humor, he enjoyed a full and adventurous life. He was born in Geneva, Switzerland, on Jan. 10, 1932, to Gudrun Ulander Lindberg and Dr. John Lindberg of Sweden. His father was a member of the Swedish delegation to the League of Nations, the forerunner to the United Nations. The family moved to Princeton, N.J., in the early 1940s, when Dr. Lindberg received an appointment at the Institute for Advanced Studies.
Sam graduated from Princeton High School in 1951. He attended the American University of Beirut for a semester and graduated from Columbia University in 1955. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1957 in Quantico, Va., and the Honor Guard in Washington, D.C. The 20 years of his first marriage were lived in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Stonington where he was a vigorous member of the community and enjoyed tennis tournaments at the Wadawanuck Club. In New York, he worked for the Morgan Guaranty Trust Company, Look Magazine, Show Magazine, and Cross, Hinshaw & Lindberg. He founded and sold Stonington Printing and Publishing after moving to Stonington full time in 1968.
Sam loved tennis, skiing, working outside and spending time building beautiful stone walls and landscaping. He loved reading history, (too slowly he would say and wink) and was deeply interested in engaging philosophical discussions based on his reading with all generations. He would draw parallels to past events and ask what do you think will happen in the future? At milestone events you could count on Sam to raise a glass and give a meaningful toast. From his Swedish origins, he was eager to share his love of GravLax (cured fresh salmon) and to encourage others to join into a rousing rendition of a Swedish drinking song called “Helan går” accompanied by a shot of ice cold aquavit, singing and more toasts. Sam moved to New Haven in 1975 to work for Van Dyke Printing, and he married Naomi Torrence In 1978. They both worked hard in their careers for decades and enjoyed renovating houses, numerous literary projects, travel and skiing before moving to Essex Meadows Retirement Community.
He is survived by his two daughters from his first marriage, Erica Sames Lindberg Gourd (Thomas) and
Dr. Katherine Atwood Grady (Tyler); four grandchildren: Meg Gourd Taylor (Matt), Alison Atwood Cosgrove (William), John Canner and Emily Canner; and four great-grandchildren: Avery Atwood Taylor, Jet Taylor, Lily Atwood Cosgrove and Liam Cosgrove. Sam is survived by his widow, his wife of 45 years, and her four children from a previous marriage: Leland Torrence (Laura), Grier Torrence (Sarah), Corbett Torrence (Maggie) Serena Fox (Seth). He is also survived by Naomi’s eight grandchildren: Leland Torrence, Jane Torrence,
Ruth Torrence, Samantha Fox, Cameron Fox, Annie Torrence, Xander Torrence and Piper Torrence. Sam is survived by his sister, and brother-in-law Siri-Anne Lindberg Branson and Harry Branson of Taos, N.M. His brother Peter Lindberg of California is deceased.
A memorial service will be held this summer.