Robert A. Hall

Robert A. Hall

April 15, 1946 - June 04, 2024

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Obituary

MADISON, Wis. - Robert A. Hall, a U.S. Marine Vietnam veteran and member of the Massachusetts State Senate (R-Fitchburg) from 1973 through 1982, died of cancer on June 4, 2024, in Madison, Wis.


Hall was born on April 15, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pa., and grew up in southern New Jersey, graduating from Collingswood High School in 1964.  He served in the U.S. Marines from 1964 until 1968, and in the U.S. Marine Reserves from 1977 to 1983. From 1982 until his illness forced his retirement in October of 2013, he was a successful association executive, most recently with the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons in Rosemont, Ill. Since July of 2017, Hall worked part time for the Madison VA Hospital, interviewing veterans and writing their life stories for the records and their families. As of 2022, he had written 450.


Hall taught after school chess club and was a substitute teacher for Madison, Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove and Fitchburg school districts. Hall served as Executive Director of the Florida Psychological Association, the National Association of Pediatric Nurses, the American Association of Cosmetic Dentistry and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. He visited Scotland 20 times.


Hall earned an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Mount Wachusett Community College (1970), a B.A. in Government from the University of Massachusetts (1972) and an M.Ed. in History from Fitchburg State University (1980). Hall was first elected to the senate in 1972, immediately after graduating from college, defeating an incumbent by nine votes out of 60,000 cast. He won reelection four times, including being nominated by both parties in 1976. Before he won, his district had not elected a Republican since 1938.


Hall is survived by his beloved wife, Bonnie Beinart Hall; stepchildren, Julie Cruz and Dale Boehm; his granddaughter, Britnye R. (Kaleb) Eldridge; grandsons, Dale Cruz and Austin Boehm; brothers, Thomas A. (Kim) Hall of Wareham, Ma., and Mark A. (Cathy) Hall of Madison, Wis., and their families; and special cousin, Bruce Hall.


For more information about Bob Hall: Books by Robert A. Hall (http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2010/07/new-book-published.html),

Resume: Robert A. Hall (http://tigertoothresume.blogspot.com/2014/02/resume-robert-hall.html), Bob Hall's life story (http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2014/04/bob-halls-life-story.html). Bob wrote this for the Collingswood (NJ) High School Class of 1964 50th Reunion May 10, 2014, since he couldn't attend.


A celebration of life will be held at MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, Wis., from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2024.


In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Robert's name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or the charity of your choice.


Special thanks to the staff of William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans’ Hospital for their excellent care. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

Madison, Wis.

(608) 221-5420


Events

27
Celebration of Life
Sat Jul 27, 2024 @ 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT
Messiah Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund • 5202 Cottage Grove Rd., Madison, WI 53716
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Robert
PP
Penny Perini
Other •
My deepest sympathies to your family for the passing of your loved one, Bob Hall. I met Bob while matriculating at MWCC in Gardner, MA in 1968 but became good friends after dating Ken Jones. Bob was always a go getter, involved in school politics as well as city and state issues. I met his Dad, Bob, and step-mother Dottie and well as his half brothers, Tom and Mark and their beautiful Wiemerainian dogs. We diligently worked on his political campaign against incumbent for several years Massachusetts State Senator Father Dinan ~ and he won!!!! Such an outstanding memory! Bob liked to tease (especially me, being the quiet, shy teenager I was) and I remember his crazy laughs. Through everything, Bob was always a dedicated Marine who loved his country, and was honest, intelligent, and a man of his word. May he Rest In Peace. Semper Fi Penny Giammalvo Jones Perini
JZ
Jack Zimmermann
Other •
Bob was a customer of mine that I am proud to call a friend. That includes his dear wife Bonnie. May Bob rest in peace and may Bonnie continue to be the lovely lady, friend and grandma that we know and love. God Bless
LJ
Leslie Jensen
Other •
Bob was a truly remarkable man who went above and beyond in loving and serving his country. He was intelligent, witty, generous, and tenacious: definitely someone you would want in your corner. I'm grateful to be counted among his friends.
DB
Dave Bartlett
Other •
Dear Bonnie and family, My deepest and sincere sympathy to you. Bob was a wonder guy and a great Senator here in the State of Boston and did so much for our District and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I am glad that we enjoy dinner together over a decade ago. May God Bless him and be with you during this very difficult time. Most sincerely, Dave
PF
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
Other •
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation is truly sorry for your family's loss. Please contact Jake Meding if we can provide any information or support during this difficult time. He can be reached at jmeding@pulmonaryfibrosis.org or 312-854-2627. Thank you.
FT
F. J. Taylor
Other •
Though we never met in person, Bob has been a correspondent and dare I say friend for nearly 30 years. We met through the Internet through our shared Marine Corps service (he had been in a radio relay team that was attached in August 1967 to the unit I later joined in Oct. of that year. We also bonded over our shared love of all things Scottish. I still have a set of Scottish tartan trousers ("trews") in the USMC "Leatherneck" tartan he co-designed with Ruaridh H. MacLeod of the Scottish Tartan research Society. Though we come from very different political perspectives, we always respected one another and kept our friendship alive (though at times nearly on life support!) all through the years. I always knew Bob to be a kind, generous and decent man, and a true Marine, and he will be sorely missed. My wife and I send our deepest condolences and sympathy to his dear wife, Bonnie and the rest of the family. RIP, old friend, and as always, Semper Fidelis! Jim F. J. Taylor USMC (Ret.)

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