Robert Allen Hall
November 19, 1928 - March 20, 2016
Obituary
LACEY — Robert A. Hall, 87, died March 20, 2016, in Lacey, Washington. He was born on November 19, 1928 in Eldora, Iowa to James and Bernice Hall. He graduated from Eldora High School in 1947. Bob enlisted in the army after high school and served for 18 months including some time in Japan. After the army he enrolled at Iowa State University and later decided to change to Gates Business College from which he graduated.
On August 16, 1950, he married Patricia Jackson in Eldora. Their first daughter, Barbara, was born in Decorah, Iowa where Bob was working as an office manager at a car dealership. They moved back to Eldora shortly after this so Bob could manage the office at the Oldsmobile dealership. It was during this time that their second daughter, Nancy was born and two years later they welcomed their son, Jim to their family.
In the fall of 1957 the young family moved to Seattle, Washington. Bob had been through the area briefly on his way to Japan several years before and fell in love with what he saw. So began the adventure that shaped all of their lives.
Bob began a 13-year career with Boeing shortly after arriving in Seattle. Bob and Pat purchased a home in Renton where they raised their children and explored western Washington and beyond. They enjoyed their group of new found friends and kept very busy with work and play. His love of nature and the outdoors was central to his life and he made sure that his family spent many weekends and vacations camping, fishing and hunting.
In 1970 they decided to make another major change in their lives and purchased a Skilled Nursing Facility in Bellingham, Washington, followed in 1971 by another facility in Long Beach, Washington, called New Seaera. They purchased a home on the beach and moved to Long Beach in 1972 after their children had graduated from high school and were establishing their own lives.
Bob was very active in the Long Beach community as a member of the Presbyterian Church and Kiwanis. He also served on the board of directors of the Bank of the Pacific for several years. Bob and Pat lived a very active life in Long Beach learning about and enjoying life on the Peninsula with their new friends and frequent visits from their family. They turned the old beach house on the ridge into a wonderful retreat to be filled with love and celebration when the family would gather there, many special memories were created over 41 years.
Bob and Pat also enjoyed many international trips during this time, some of the countries they visited included Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, UK, Portugal, China, Australia, New Zealand and Costa Rica.
In 2000 Bob and Pat purchased a home on the island of Maui, a place that they both loved. They spent their winters there for the next 13 years embracing the warm Aloha spirit.
In 2012 Bob and Pat moved to Lacey, Washington to be closer to family.
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Pat; his daughters, Barbara Ham (Sam) and Nancy Rowe (Bill), his son Jim (Jill); six grandchildren, Bob, Jared, Matt, Alison, Kelsey, Evan and six great-grandchildren, Billy, Vincent, Maleia, Miles, Isabel and Lola.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 26 at 3 p.m. at Washington Memorial Park, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, Washington 98188.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
Our thoughts and prayers to you and yours. With love, Gina and Cynthia Raitano
Dearest Barbara and family, I have been thinking of you for the last year. Remembering our childhood friendship and adventures. Yesterday, I tried to find you. I was so terribly sad to see that Bob passed away in March. I moved to Spain in 1983 where I still live. Bob was an important influence in my early life in culture and music. An intelligent, sensitive man whom I shall never forget. My prayers are with you. Candace Coughlin