Retired Lieut. Col. Samuel (Sandy) H. Stevenson of West Tisbury died at his home on February 15. He was 83 years old.

Sandy was born in New York city on August 12, 1936, the first of three children of Robert Alston Stevenson Jr. and Georgina Woods Stevenson. As a boy, he lived in New York city and spent summers at the family home in West Tisbury. It was there he learned his love of sailing. He worked summers sailing boats to and from Florida and working for Mr. Goodale. He loved to reminisce about his summers on Martha’s Vineyard as a child and young adult.

He began his education at The Allen-Stevenson School in New York city and transferred to the former Choate College Preparatory, graduating in 1954. After graduating from Choate, he entered Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York to study biomechanical engineering.

While at RPI, he met his wife, Kathleen Marseilles Selover, who attended Russell Sage College, also in Troy. After his graduation at RPI with the class of 1957, he married Kathleen on February 14, 1958.

After a short honeymoon, he returned to enter the United States Marine Corp in March, 1958, as a Second Lieutenant. He served 18 years and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with four stars; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star. He served overseas in Okinawa, Japan and Vietnam.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, Sam remained in northern Virginia and worked as a defense contractor. In 1988, he retired and returned to the family home in West Tisbury. After his return to the Island, he worked as a bookkeeper and accountant. He passed the IRS Special Enrollment Examination in 1986 and opened Stevenson Tax Service. He and Kathleen were devoted members of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

Over the years, he could be found at the early morning men’s coffee talk at Conroy’s Apothecary and making his 10th daily trip to the post office. He enjoyed his time being at home, in the solitude of Indian Hill Road.

He is predeceased by his wife, Kathleen, and his sister, Gina S. McEnany. He is survived by his two children, Scott and Rebecca, and his two grandchildren.

Interment will be private in West Tisbury, with a celebration of life at a later date.

Donations can be made to Martha’s Vineyard Hospice at hospiceofmv.org.