Alexander Halff

HALFF
Alexander Hart Halff, a respected San Antonio businessman, rancher and civic leader passed away at the age of 78 at his home, February 9, 2010. He was a graduate of Jefferson High School and the University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in International Economics and a commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He served in the Western Pacific from 1952-1954 and later served as Executive Officer of the Naval Reserve Surface Division 8-103. Alex began his business career in Manizales, Colombia and then joined the Texas land title industry. He built the company his father founded, Alamo Title Company, from a local business to a respected statewide presence. Beginning in the abstract plant in 1955, he became President in 1970 and retired as Chairman of the Alamo Title organization in 1999. Alex was active in the local business community, the title industry and civic organizations throughout his life. He served on the corporate boards of Bexar County Bank, RepublicBank, First RepublicBank, and Church's Fried Chicken. He was also active on the boards of The San Antonio Kiwanis club, the United Way of San Antonio, Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the San Antonio Homebuilders Association, the Development Board of Incarnate Word College, the UTSA Business Advisory Council, the National Jewish Hospital and the Witte Museum. He was president of the San Antonio Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Title Underwriters of Texas, the Community Guidance Center of Bexar County, Boysville Inc., the Texas Land Title Association and the Bexar County Land Title Association. He chaired Texas Title Insurance Guaranty Association, The UTSA Development Board, the Trustees of the Boysville Foundation and the San Antonio Medical Foundation. A San Antonio native and a fourth generation Texan, Alex took a great interest in his family history. He researched his family's cattle ranching beginnings in 19th century Texas, instigating an authoritative historical book on the subject. He wrote a second book tracing the family's ranching over time. He also authored a book on the history of the St Charles Bay Hunting and Fishing Club on the Texas coast where he fished every summer. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman who instilled a love and knowledge of the outdoors to his children and grandchildren. Throughout his life, the family's Frio county ranch was a gathering place for Alex, his brothers and his children; as well as a creative platform for ranching, farming and game management ideas and practices. Alex is preceded in death by his parents, Harry A. and Anyce P. Halff, and brothers Howard A. and Thomas A. Halff. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Sally; sister in law, Betty Murray Halff; sons Glenn and wife Mindi Alterman, Harry and wife Lisa and Jim and wife Danna; grandchildren Allison, Jesse, Marghi, Travis, Cody, Joshua and Daniel Halff. The family would like to express special thanks to his medical team including his physicians, the nurses at CTRC and the caregivers from Avionn and Christus VNA Hospice Care.
MEMORIAL SERVICE THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 11, 2010
10:30 A.M.
TEMPLE BETH-EL
211 BELKNAP
Rabbi Dr. Samuel H. Stahl, Rabbi Allison Bergman Vann and Cantor Julie Berlin officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to a charity of choice. You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.porterloring.com. Arrangements with: