Samuel Halle, II Obituary

“Well done is better than well said.” - Benjamin Franklin. One of Sam’s many mantras. He was a man who valued action over words and adhered to this ideal until the end of his life. Samuel Horatio “Higbee” Halle II passed away on January 15th, 2024 after a quiet battle with melanoma; his beloved wife, Courtney, and daughters, Augusta (18) and Hollander (22), were by his side.

Sam was a proud alumnus of University School in Cleveland, where on the gridiron he earned the nickname Bam-Bam as Football Team Captain. There, he was also honored with the Cadmean award. He continued his education, receiving a B.A. in History from Tulane University - where he continued his Football career as a left-bench starter.

Sam’s career in commercial real estate began at Seely before he was recruited by Maguire Thomas Partners in Los Angeles, California. There, he was instrumental in the development and leasing of the Library Tower and Playa Vista. From 2010 on, he worked as a Real Estate Advisor/Independent Consultant, aiding entities including Alpine Grove, Heartland Energy Solutions, and Catalyst. His real estate adventures spanned the world, taking him to places such as India and Singapore.

Sam and Courtney resided for almost three decades in the beautiful coastal town of Manhattan Beach, CA where he loved his time as a soccer, softball, and horse dad instilling his athleticism in his daughters. He delighted in weekend trips to Santa Ynez visiting his parents at their ranch, La Tarantella. Sam was a lifelong fan of the Cleveland Browns and Indians (Guardians) as well as an avid bird watcher. He enjoyed weekly paddle/tennis games, reading, and leaf-blowing the driveway. Daisy Hill will be a quieter place without Sam’s daily 4 o’clock leaf & snowblowing! Sam was a member of the St. Moritz Tobogganing Club, The Tavern Club and a former member of the California Club. Additionally, Sam traveled the world. Some of his best memories were spent at the St. Moritz Tobogganing Club’s Cresta Run (where he earned the nickname 108 for an impressively slow luge speed) and other fond times were had in Paris and

Cuba.

But of all the places he traveled and lived, Cleveland was his home. “Amidst the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, my family decamped to Cleveland, Ohio by way of Los Angeles, California in support of our daughters’ continuing education and desired change of scenery. Now happily ensconced in the ‘Forest City,’ apt today as it was when Winston Churchill spoke in the darkest days of 1940 London Blitz, so that ‘the life of the world may move forward into broad and sunlit uplands…’” He confided these sentiments to his brother Michael regarding the move to Cleveland, “I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven.”

It was a blessing that he was able to live out his final years among family and friends in the comfort of the place he called home.

We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Sam, among them: The 7 P’s (Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance), Cleanliness is next to Godliness, and a common line “Don’t F it up.”  More seriously, he left a legacy of hard work, responsibility, and humility. Sam was loyal to a fault and gave everything, expecting nothing in return.

He was the son of Ann Gelston Petroni of Los Angeles, California and the late Chisholm Halle. Preceded in death by father Chisholm, Step-father Donald Petroni, and brother Chisholm Halle. Sam is survived by his loving wife, Courtney, and daughters, Augusta and Hollander of Hunting Valley, OH; step-mother, Cynthia White Halle of Waite Hill, OH; sister Pamela Halle of Los Angeles, California; brother Michael Halle of Portland (Aimée Virnig), Ore.; step-sister Lisa Osur of Rochester, NY; step-brother Victor Petroni of Marlborough, CT (Maura); Akita Coco from Fontana.

To honor his life, a celebration of life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you take a moment to hug a family member or tell someone close you love them. Donations can be made to the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center Melanoma Program in Samuel Halle’s honor.