Sam Hobi passed away on Thursday morning while exercising at home.
Hobi was a two-time Ironman World Championship qualifier and finisher. In 2016, he raced at the Ironman World Championship in Kona.
Highlights
- Sam Hobi played linebacker on his school football team, the Yeomen.
- Hobi died on February 27, 2025, while exercising at home.
- He was married to Ember Taylor Hobi and had six children.
Ironman athlete Sam Hobi attended Columbia Business School and later went to Oberlin College in 2002 to study Economics.
Sam was a former Yeomen linebacker with one of the most decorated careers in school history.
He departed Oberlin as the school’s all-time sack leader with 18 (since broken by Chris Pisani and Clay Eaton) and holds the school record for tackles for loss in a season with 24.
Hobi was named All-American in 2001 by D3Football.com and was a Verizon Academic All-American that year.
After graduation, he served as a financial management program analyst, associate, vice president, director, and sales and disposition leader at GE Capital for over 13 years.
Sam was the VP/Head of Strategy at WebBank from 2017 to 2018 and the Personal goal pursuit at Career Break from 2018 to 2021.
He later joined as the full-time economics curriculum and instructor at American Preparatory Academy in West Valley, Utah.
Salt Lake City Resident Sam Hobi Died While Doing Exercise
Sam Hobi, who participated in numerous Ironman events, sadly passed away while exercising at home on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
According to the source, the viewing will occur on Friday, March 7, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mill Hollow Ward, 2522 East 6710 South Cottonwood Heights, Utah 84121.
The funeral services will be held on March 8, 2025, at 11 a.m.
Sam’s friend Andy Wade, a major at Utah National Guard, took to his official Facebook handle and poured a small tribute and sent prayers by stating,
Heartbroken to hear about the passing of my friend, mentor, and fellow IRONMAN athlete, Sam Hobi. He was an inspiration to everyone he met, always pushing limits and lifting others up. Having faced my own near-death experience while training for an IRONMAN, this loss hits even deeper. Life is precious and unpredictable, and Sam lived it to the fullest. He will be deeply missed. My heart and prayers go out to all his family and friends.
Andy Wade
Mark Christensen, the admin of Hurricane High Class of 95 Reunion, also took to his Facebook handle and sent prayers to Hobi’s family. He wrote,
Coach Wes posted this up today about our dear friend Sam Hobi. I don’t have any details but thought you all would like to know. Sam was/is one of the best people I’ve ever known. “It is with great sadness that I let you know that our son Sam Hobi had a heart attack while running on his treadmill this morning and passed away. Please pray for Ember and their six children.”
Mark Christensen
Sam will be remembered forever for his unforgettable contributions as an Ironman athlete.
Other close ones and relatives have also poured their heartfelt condolences and sent prayers to Hobi’s entire family to stay strong in this heartbreaking moment. Rest in Peace, Sam Hobi.
Wife Ember Taylor Hobi Is Mourning The Loss Of Her Husband Sam Hobi
Sam Hobi was married to Ember Taylor Hobi. Their exact date of marriage has not been mentioned yet.
The couple served as Missionaries in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ addiction recovery program. They also appeared on the podcast Saving A Marriage On The Brink of Divorce.
Sadly, their married life ended following the tragic death of Sam Hobi.
Sam and Ember had six children: Jarom, Jennica, Joshua, and Jace. The identities of the two children have not been released.
Jarom Hobi attended Brighton High School and later attended BYU. He also served as a Missionary at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Recently, Jarom took to his Facebook handle and poured a small tribute to his supportive and devoted father. He wrote,
As many of you have heard this Thursday I lost my best friend and hero. He passed unexpectedly at home while running due to what we believe were heart issues. I’m posting this to invite anyone who would like to come to his funeral on Saturday. I’ll post the details in the comments. Everyone will be welcome we are hoping it will be a positive experience as we proudly look back on his life. Thank you all for your support. I thank God for the priceless experiences I shared with him and pray that I will honor his name and legacy in his absence. God got his strongest missionary back and I know he got straight to work. Hang tight Dad I’ll be there to help soon 🫡. Death is conquered man is free; Christ has won the victory.
Jarom Hobi
Jace Hobi also went to Brighton High School and lives in Ukiah, California.
Jennica Hobi attended Olympus High School and later studied at BYU-Idaho. She currently lives in College Station, Texas.
Additional Information
- Sam Hobi was the local volunteer and educator at Junior Achievement USA from January 2013 to January 2015.
- Hobi has a sister named Kristen Swindlehurt, who attended Hurricane High School and lives in Hurricane, Utah.
- As an economics curriculum and instructor at American Preparatory Academy, he earned an annual salary between $30,000 and $50,000.
