With great sadness, the Ellis family today announced the passing of Harold A. “Hal” Ellis, Jr., Co-Founder of Grubb & Ellis Company and Chairman of Ellis Partners LLC.

“Hal’s professional achievements stand on their own.  He was an innovator, a true visionary in the industry.  He continually reinvented himself and in doing so, changed the way business was done.  One would be hard-pressed to come across a real estate professional in California who had not somehow been touched by Hal or his work.

“But his true success was the powerful effect he had on those who knew him.  Hal is best remembered as a friend, mentor, and father – both in and out of the office.  It was Jim and Melinda’s greatest career reward over the last 16 years to be able to come to work with their father each day at Ellis Partners LLC.  They look forward to honoring his legacy through the ongoing growth and evolution of the firm.

“Hal was also a devoted and loving husband to his first wife Virginia (“Jinny”) until her untimely passing in 1984 and for the last 22 years to Marian whom he loved dearly.  His leadership was also a beacon for son Steve who currently serves as the CEO for Bain & Company, Inc.

“His absence will be keenly felt by both his family and his community.”

– Wife: Marian Ellis, Children: Stephen Ellis, James Ellis, Melinda Ellis Evers, Chantal Lamberto, and Jackie Lamberto

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Hal’s legacy be recognized through donations to The Melanoma Therapeutics Foundation, 111 Sutter Street, Suite 800, San Francisco, CA 94104 or online at:  www.melanomatherapeutics.org

Friends are invited to join the family at Claremont Country Club (not Claremont Hotel) on Wednesday, January 14th at 4:00 pm to honor Hal.  Claremont Country Club, 5295 Broadway Terrace, Oakland, CA 94618.

San Francisco Chronicle article link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/08/BUH0155C89.DTL

Los Angeles Times article link: http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-ellis8-2009jan08,0,550808.story