Ben Tobin

Ben Tobin (November 8, 1903 – June 7, 1996) was an American real estate developer, philanthropist, and investor in Broadway shows.

Early life Tobin was born to a Jewish family in Russia and immigrated to the United States while he was still a child. he more than doubled his investment when he sold his interest in the building three years later to a Chicago partnership.

Tobin then ventured on his own and founded Ben Tobin Companies Ltd., which developed the Hillcrest Country Club in Hollywood, Florida as well as one million square feet of shopping centers in five states. In 1991, Herbert's son, Jason L. Tobin, joined the company. Jason is now the President of Tobin Properties. As of 2017, Tobin Properties owns over one and a half million square feet of property throughout the Southeastern United States.

Philanthropy Tobin was a major benefactor to Jewish philanthropies: he was a founder of Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach, Florida, the State of Israel Bond Organizations (who awarded him the Freedom Medal of Israel by the State of Israel Bonds Organization); and was a fellow of Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts (where a dormitory bears his name). He was also the founder of the Jewish Federation of South Broward and Temple Beth El in Hollywood, where he was a member. He founded the Ben Tobin Foundation which was a major benefactor to Channel 2 WPBT, Miami-Dade County's public television station, and to the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.

Personal life He was married to Jeanette Tobin having two children Herbert Tobin, Steven Tobin and then to Iris Maxwell, Miss Miami Beach 1953 and WCKT Miami Romper Room TV Show Host, having a daughter Benita Tobin Anderson. He died on June 7, 1996, at his home in Hollywood, Florida.