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

Robert A. Hall

April 15, 1946 - June 04, 2024

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