Linda Hassler

Linda Hassler “Let the sunshine in.” Linda Hassler, former National Casting Director for Broadway’s Love-Rock musical “Hair,” has moved into heaven’s light with her passing on November 17th, 2022. Linda was born in Chicago, IL and moved to Forrest City, AR when she was just a girl. Her father, Richard “Dick” Carrol purchased the Growers Equipment Company, transforming it into a thriving farm equipment dealership for local farmers, while her mother, Alta Dee Belshé Carroll directed plays at the Little Theater in town, and later offered speech therapy privately to children in need. After high school, Linda was accepted to Rollins College in Winterpark, FL, where she studied music, philosophy and film. While finishing college, she caught the eye of the man she would marry, John Hassler, son of Robert Hassler, who invented and patented the shock absorber. Linda moved to Palm Beach, Florida and had two beautiful children, Leslie and Tucker Hassler. After deciding life in Palm Beach wasn’t the right fit, she moved her family to Memphis, TN, where she put Leslie and Tucker into private schools and spent more time with her parents. Linda was adventurous, artistic and creative, an exceptional pitch-perfect pianist, who could effortlessly play any song you could hum her way — from Blackbird by the Beatles to Rachmaninov’s 8th symphony. It was a trait that helped her get the attention of Producer Michael Butler who needed a National Casting director to help get the play Hair up and opening in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle. After opening the show in Montreal, Canada, Linda moved Leslie and Tucker there to experience the European culture and attend an all-French school. Throughout her life, Linda was a seeker of knowledge, eternally curious about life, energy and meaning. It was a trait that led her to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, where she wrote and produced national documentaries around meaningful stories, such as “The Black Religious Experience,” featuring interviews with Reverend Jesse Jackson and other prominent figures. With years spent in Canada and her children growing up fast, Linda moved back to Memphis, where she became fascinated with the Institute of Noetic Sciences, founded by Apollo 14 astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchel. After meeting and interviewing Edgar for a potential film, she started her own Noetic Sciences group, leading the exploration of science and profound human experience. Her daughter Leslie had become a successful photographer in NYC, while her son Tucker had gone from copywriter to Creative Director in some of the nation’s top advertising agencies. Linda was a bundle of energy and optimism. After her parents passed, she took over the family house in Forrest City, enjoying summer visits with her five grandchildren by the pool, and digging into her landscaping by joining the Master Gardeners Club of Forrest City. She lived alone, but had many friends to share life with. She also lived through Tucker and Leslie, laughing loudly over many spirited phone calls, discussing politics, the stock market, and whatever was going on as her grandchildren grew up. She was spontaneous and spirited; a true participant, whether it was sailing on the Hudson River in NY, or inner tubing behind a speed boat in Heber Springs. Linda had endless energy, and an enormous heart. She was always kind, always thankful, and always had a smile on her face. She will be missed. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Forrest City.. Under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home. Visit online registry at stevesnfuneralhome.net.

Tributes

Linda Hassler

November 7, 2022