Obituary: Harold Schiff (1927-2012), NRHS Grad Managed Major Building Projects Including Pan-Am Building, Sears Tower

Written By: Talk of the Sound News

Harold Schiff died on Tuesday August 7 in Chicago, Ill., at the age of 84 after several years of declining health. Harold was born in New Rochelle, New York on September 24, 1927. He graduated from New Rochelle High School and attended Columbia University for two years. He served in the US army in the occupation of Japan.

Harold made his career in the nascent field of construction management, where he led major projects in New York City, Chicago and around the world. Among the most noted buildings he worked on were the Pan-Am building in New York, the Sears Tower in Chicago, and the Tour Monparnasse in Paris. He worked for Diesel Construction, Morse-Diesel Inc, ARA Services, and founded Schal Associates, which he later sold to Bovis.

Harold was pre-deceased by Rosalind (Holman) Schiff and Mozelle (Edelstein) Schiff.

He is survived by Margot (Levin) Schiff, his sister Sue Astrove and brother in law Alan Astrove of Rockville, Md., his three children Leslie Schiff and husband Steve Rice of Minneapolis, M.N., David Schiff and companion Tanya Nezzer of Charlottesville, Va., and Leo Schiff and wife Joy Hammond of Brattleboro, Vt., grandchildren Aaron and Jonathan Schiff of Brattleboro, and Noah Rice of Minneapolis. He also leaves three step-children and five grandchildren from his wife Margot.

Burial was in Queens, N.Y., and a memorial service is planned for this fall in Chicago.