Name: Calling hours for Ben W. Hale Jr.
Start: 2015-05-31T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2015-05-31T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Schoedinger Margarum Northeast

Hale Ben W. Hale, Jr., 70, died on May 28, 2015. He was born on June 21, 1944 in Logan, WV to the late Ben and Bessie Hale. He is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Jan; daughters, Susan Elizabeth and Sarah (Aaron) Underhill; grandchildren, Will, Nathan and Bradley; brother, Richard (Kay) Hale; sisters, Norma (Bo) Robinette, Louetta (Richard) Jimison, Wilsie Hale; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Cynda (Ron) Hibner. Ben attended Marshall University, receiving his BBA in 1967 and his law degree from The Ohio State University in 1970. He then found the perfect fit for his law career with Harrison Smith and Jim Tobin in what is now Smith and Hale, LLC where he specialized in the area of real estate development and has played a significant role in many major developments in Central Ohio. In 2014, he received Life Time Achievement Awards from NAIOP (Central Ohio Chapter of the Commercial Real Estate Development Association) and the New Albany Chamber of Commerce. He was inducted into the Marshall University Business Hall of Fame and honored by both Gahanna and Dublin for his role in the development of their cities. Ben has also been active over the years outside of his law practice. He has served on the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities for over twenty years, serving as president twice. He received the Ray Ferguson Award from the Ohio Association of County Boards as the outstanding advocate for those with mental and physical disabilities in the State of Ohio. He was also a founding member and first chairman of Creative Housing, Inc., a non-profit corporation established to provide community housing alternatives for individuals who have mental retardation and developmental disabilities. The Creative Housing model which Ben helped create is now being used around Ohio and in other states. Ben was an avid everything: golfer, pheasant hunter, fisherman, reader, antique collector, student of life, devoted grandfather and "Camp Director" to all who visited his Eagle Nest Island in Northern Ontario, Canada. Over the last fifteen years, Ben has waged a valiant battle against his prostate cancer and has mentored many others in their fight. He will always be remembered as being a loving husband, father, father-in- law, grandfather, brother, uncle, respected attorney and a cherished and generous friend to all who knew him. Friends may call from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, May 31, 2015 and 5-7 P.M. Monday, June 1, 2015 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., where a memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, 2015. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Creative Housing, Inc., 2233 Citygate Drive, Columbus, OH 43219. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Columbus Dispatch from May 29 to May 31, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Ben Hale

18 Entries

Henry Heuerman

June 6, 2015

Jan, I was so sorry to hear of Ben's death. He was truly one of the stars from our law school class at Ohio State. He was a great lawyer, but an even better person. Hank

Dinah Geschke

June 3, 2015

I knew Ben through my work but my mother (Iva Fields) from South Point OH was good friends with his father whom I had met years ago. Ben always was interested in hearing about the tri-state news when I saw him in the work environment. He was a kind and considerate man. I am sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in God's loving hands. Dinah Geschke - Westerville OH

Ron Oliver

June 3, 2015

To Jan and Ben's family. I am so sadden to hear about Ben. What a full life he had. A career to really be proud of and influenced so many lives in a positive way. I attended Marshall with Ben and became friends with him when I was rushing Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Ben had such a outstanding personality. He will missed. Rest in peace Ben....your suffering is over and you fought the good fight. Heaven is a better place now.

maureen graham

June 2, 2015

Jan,
Just wanted to make sure you know how sad both Ted and I are at the news of Ben's passing..
Maureen and Ted Graham

Barbara Rave Plymale

June 1, 2015

Dear Jan, I haven't seen you since we were teens; but I do remember you and Ben as high school sweethearts. My heart goes out to you and your family at this most difficult time and I will keep you in my prayers.

June 1, 2015

Ben was a giant in promoting the careful development of the greater Central Ohio Area. His guidance and leadership will be greatly missed.

May 31, 2015

Our deepest sympathy to all of the family. Joe and Anne Ott, French River Lodge, Ontario, Canada

Chuck Johnson

May 31, 2015

With sincere condolences .... I will fondly remember Ben and all the great causes he championed.

Norma Hale-Robinette

May 30, 2015

I was eight years old when he was born. I will miss my baby brother! So thankful to have had such a wonderful person in my life! Rest easy sweet Bennie. I love you!

Larry Faulkner

May 30, 2015

Dear Jan, I was very shocked to hear of Ben passing away. My deepest sympathy and prayers to you and your family. Ben will be missed by so many.

Jane McGehee

May 30, 2015

So sorry to hear of Ben's death. Thinking of all you Hales.

George Glazier

May 30, 2015

Benny was so much a part of my growing up ... my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Cora and Dean Stapleton

May 30, 2015

Thoughts and prayers to all.

Phil Gockenbach

May 30, 2015

Dear Jan: I am so sorry to learn of Ben's passing. During the time that I knew him I considered him my best friend. I know that Mom and Dad held him in the highest rspect as did I. I learn a lot from him. Cassie and I will have masses said for him. With all my love Phil

May 30, 2015

Ben Hale was a memorable hire. Jim Tobin here. I was lured from the largest, and second oldest, firm by Wilson & Rector, the oldest Columbus law firm- by 4 years. Became a partner after a year, as promised, and we changed the name to Smith & Tobin. Harrison (Bill) Smith, Jr. occupied the litigation side, and I was to follow bill's Father on the business side. Bill became increasingly engaged in zoning and annexation. As the older generation moved on, Bill and I hired a young guy each to support us.
I was interviewing for my side, when Ben Hale appeared in our office. He was clearly a winner. He seemed more suited to Bill's side, but I hired him to help me- so we could keep him. When Bill's guy moved on, Ben moved to Bill's side, which was increasingly involved in zoning issues- the top in town. Ben prospered on the real estate side, as our litigation practice- primarily railroad clients- dried up. I then became embroiled in Corporate Takeovers- handling both litigation and boardroom strategy sides of the practice- with help from Ben- and a host of others, generally from the national law firm that retained us to handle Ohio matters.
When I moved on to a National/International Firm to get more back up, Ben and I tried to merge us. But Ben was involved in many side real estate deals, which my new firm would not permit. And we reluctantly parted ways- our old firm becoming Smith & Hale.
In the meantime, I had invited Ben to use my cottage on Ox Bay on the Lower French River in Ontario. Ben fell in love with the river life- and bought the Eagle's Nest, a small island at the west end of Ox Bay. He rebuilt the small cottage on it into a palace- and used it every season over the years. He hosted Jan's and his Marshall College friends there on an annual basis.
Ben developed prostate cancer 15 years ago. I had killed my own prostate tumors 4 years before with a large variety of alt med procedures. I passed them on to Ben, who outdid me by engaging in many more options, including a number of experimental programs in South Florida. No one ever worked harder to beat an illness than Ben. Life is not always fair. Eventually, the cancer killed him.

Ben had everything in life a man could want- wonderful wife and offspring, highly successful legal career, rewarding side real estate investments, host of friends and admirers- everything but a successful cancer cure. Not fair. We will all miss him.

Tom Mouat, Jr

May 30, 2015

Thank you for the generosity and kindness you showed to my son and daughter over the years.

Cate Cohen

May 30, 2015

An amazing and accomplished man. A beautiful tribute. Sarah, Aaron, Will, Nathan and Bradley: we are thinking of you and praying for your peace. While there are no words to truly give you solace during this time of such sorrow, always remember the love never dies. With deepest sympathy, The Cohen Family

Nancy Goheen

May 29, 2015

So sorry to hear of Benny's passing. His freinds from Huntington will miss him.

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