Samuel High III passed away at his Sellersville, Pa. residence on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011. He was 77.

Born March 8, 1934 in Jenkintown, Pa., Sam was the son of the late Samuel H. and Betty (Knipe) High, Jr. He graduated from Germantown Academy in 1951 and earned his BS from Temple University in 1956.

For a large part of his life, Sam was owner and president of the world-renowned Philadelphia Toboggan Company and Skee Ball, Inc., both of Lansdale. Sam’s inauguration into the world of wooden roller coasters and amusement attractions began in 1958 when he was officially integrated into Philadelphia Toboggan Co. It was probably inevitable since his father, Samuel H. High Jr., was the majority stockowner in PTC while his grandfather, Samuel H. High, was the attorney who helped found the company in 1904. In 1991, he sold PTC to longtime friend and employee, Thomas D. Rebbie who changed the name to Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. and moved the company to larger quarters in Hatfield, Pa.

Sam was also an active member of many antique car clubs and was Past President of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) in 1997. He was also active with ham radio clubs and theater organ clubs.

Sam is survived by Linda (Vaughn) High, his wife of 53 years; daughter, Laurel High; his son, Samuel H. High IV; two sisters; and six grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at Huff & Lakjer Funeral Home, 701 Derstine Ave., Lansdale. Relatives and friends may call after 10 a.m. Friday. Interment will be private. For those desiring, contributions may be made in Sam’s memory to Grand View Hospice, 700 Lawn Avenue, Sellersville, Pa. 18960 or AACA Library and Research Center, 501 W. Governor Road, P.O. Box 417, Hershey, Pa. 17033.

• «Previous Post
• Next Post »

---