Samuel Scovil

Samuel Kingston Scovil, retired Chairman and CEO of Cleveland Cliffs, died suddenly on Sunday afternoon May 2nd, 2010 at his home near Cleveland, Ohio. He had recently returned to Ohio where he was recuperating after fracturing his shoulder in a fall earlier this year at the Scovil's winter home in Naples, Florida. He was 86 years old. Born in Cleveland on June 15, 1923, Mr. Scovil was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Malcolm Scovil. Raised on Edgehill Road in Cleveland Heights, Ohio where he spent his childhood years with his parents, sister Sally, and paternal grandfather Samuel; all were major influences on his early development. His grandfather was one of Cleveland's early community and business leaders, was among the original incorporators of the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and its President from 1914-1918, founded a local newspaper, the Cleveland Times that was later absorbed by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and was Chairman of the Society for Savings Bank. Mr. Scovil's father, a star football running back at University School and Yale University, worked in the insurance business, coached high school football at University School and spent summers on Lake Temagami, Ontario. Mr. Scovil's mother, Dorothy Lee Brown was from Fredricton, New Brunswick and a childhood sweetheart of her husband. They were married in 1920 and divorced in 1931. Mr. Scovil's mother remarried Robert A. Kingsley, a headmaster of Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia, PA adding his son and daughter Bobby and Anne Kingsley to Mr. Scovil's extended family. Mr. Scovil's father remarried Florence Crocker Jeffrey in 1946 adding her son, Tad Jeffrey, and his wife, Nancy, to Mr. Scovil's extended family. Mr. Scovil attended the local public elementary school before moving on to University School for his high school years where he was a class leader and followed in his father's footsteps as a star running back of the football team, as well as captain of the swimming team and one of the stars on the baseball nine. He entered Yale University in 1941, leaving to enlist in the U.S. Army where he was in active service from May 20 1944 through July 31 1946 rising to the rank of Captain in the Field Artillery. He returned to Yale as a member of the class of 1945 and graduated with a degree in industrial engineering from the Sheffield Scientific School in 1947. Mr. Scovil met his future wife Barbara Baker of Shaker Heights, Ohio in 8th grade and they dated throughout high school and college. They were married on May 22, 1944 in St. Paul's Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He had just started active service in the army, and it was her 21st birthday. They moved several times during WWII before landing in Hawaii where the Army was preparing for the invasion of Japan. After the war they returned to Cleveland and in 1947 their first child, Emily Baker, was born. The family moved to New Haven, CT so Mr. Scovil could finish college at Yale. They returned to Cleveland after his graduation. Their sons, the late Malcolm Huyette, Samuel Kingston III and Alexander Crane were born there in 1949, 1951, and 1954 respectively. The loss of their fifteen year old son, Mal, in 1964 was the greatest tragedy of their life together. For over four decades they worked as a team to raise their family and further Mr. Scovil's career at Cleveland Cliffs. After his Yale graduation Mr. Scovil's first job was with Republic Steel as an industrial engineer in the Cleveland tubing plant. After a year he moved into Republic's management operations training program and soon was a foreman in one of the blast furnaces. His experience in the blast furnace led him into his career with Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co. now Cliffs Natural Resources. He began with Cliffs in 1950 as an iron ore salesman. His mastery of the industry led to promotions to vice president of sales in 1963, senior vice president in 1970, a Director in 1973, president in 1974, and president and chief executive officer in 1976. He was named chairman of the Board in 1983. Mr. Scovil retired from active employment in 1986. He continued as chairman of the Board until early 1988 and as chairman of its Executive Committee until mid-1991. In addition to his career with Cliffs, Scovil served on the boards of the Cleveland Clinic, Eaton Corporation, Holnam Inc., Arthur G. McKee & Company, Hill Acme Company, McLouth Steel Corporation, National City Corporation, Republic Steel Corporation and Wean United. Mr. Scovil also had been a director of numerous industry, civic, and social organizations including the American Iron and Steel Institute, American Iron Ore Association, American Mining Congress, and American Society of Corporate Executives. He was general chairman of Cleveland's Festival of Freedom celebration at Edgewater Park for the nation's Bicentennial Year, a trustee of the Boys Club of Cleveland, and was active in the Community Chest and its successor organization, the United Way of Cleveland. He was a past president of the Tavern Club and Pepper Pike Club and a member of Kirtland Club, Union Club of Cleveland, The Hangar, Port Royal Beach Club, Hole-in-the-Wall Golf Club, and the Rolling Rock Club. Mr. Scovil was a devoted alumnus and past President of the Board of Trustees of University School, his alma mater. Scovil was a hard-nosed all-around athlete who loved to compete. There could be no doubt in the minds of those that knew him that he played to win. He was a three year letterman and MVP of the University School football team, three year letterman and captain of the swim team as well as a two year letterman and hard-hitting outfielder on the baseball team. He carried on his competitive success in football at Yale. After college he transferred his love of sports competition to the tennis court and played three times a week with a group of close friends or family for the next 50 years. He was a great fan and supporter of University School's football program. He donated the Scovil Field in memory of his father, R. Malcolm Scovil who coached the U.S. team, and his eldest son, Malcolm Huyette Scovil, both of who were excellent football players. He attended games there on Saturday afternoons for decades after his sons graduated, cheering on the team and occasionally offering 'constructive criticism' to the referees, coaches and players. For 80 years he spent time each summer on Lake Temagami, Ontario where he enjoyed his vacations on island 1161 in Granny Bay joined by good friends and familyÑand his beloved boat the Sal-Sam. He was a strong supporter of Keewaydin Camp continuing the Scovil family's long association with the wilderness canoe tripping camp and Ojibway the affiliated family lodge both of which are located only a mile from the island. He also had a close affiliation with the people of Bear Island where both he and his father attended and called square dances. Mr. Scovil also developed longstanding friendships with many of the people and merchants of the town of Temagami. After his retirement in 1986 Mr. Scovil and his wife Barbara's greatest enjoyment was in watching and participating in the development of their 13 grandchildren. They traveled occasionally and enjoyed the winter months each year in their Naples home close to many new and a few life-long friends, but remained loyal residents of Ohio returning each spring to their Gates Mills home of 60 years. He was the dear father of Emily S. Eklund Donald of Moreland Hills, OH , Alexander C. Scovil Katharine of Hunting Valley, OH, Samuel K. Scovil, III Katherine of Milwaukee, WI and the late Malcolm H. Scovil. Dear grandfather of 13 and brother of Sarah "Sally" Taylor of Rothesay, New Brunswick, CA. The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in his name to University School, 2785 SOM Center Road, Hunting Valley, OH 44022. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 8th at 1 PM in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2747 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Hts., OH. Interment Lake View Cemetery. BROWN-FORWARD SERVICE 216 752-1200


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