President (1971 to 1991)
Samuel (Sam) H. High III was born on March 8, 1934 in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. Raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Mr. High attended Germantown Academy. He then went on to attend Temple University in Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, graduating with a bachelor’s degree of engineering in 1956.
In 1957 Sam started working for Philadelphia Toboggan Company, which many saw foreseeable considering Mr. High’s family ties to the company. Sam’s father, Samuel High Jr., was a majority stockowner in PTC and corporate attorney while Sam’s grandfather, Samuel High Sr., was the corporate attorney for PTC and helped found the company in 1904.
When Sam worked for PTC he was purchasing officer. Over the years Sam did numerous jobs at PTC; in the office, in the shop, and on site for roller coasters, carousels, and other rides PTC manufactured.
Sam High III became president of Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1971 after John Allen had stepped down for retirement. He then also moved the company from it’s Germantown, Pennsylvania location of 69 years to Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
While Sam was president he made many innovations to PTC products. He introduced the ball-and-hitch cars, a new fin brake system, Q-line loading gates, and made many safety adjustments to PTC’s coaster cars.
By 1991 Sam High III was ready to retire and looked to sell the company to Tom Rebbie, at that time, his right hand man and his General Manger.
On November 8, 2011 Sam High III passed away at the age of 77.