Hal entered the Naval Academy following graduation from
high school in Mr. Vernon, NY, and after a year of enlisted naval service. He was very active in company and battalion
sports, and prominent in the Chess Club.
Upon graduation, he served on the destroyer BAILEY (DDR
713) followed by assignment to the pre-commissioning crew of USS INDEPENDENCE
(CVA 62), and later on two amphibious ships.
He took time out in December of 1956 to marry his June Week drag, Jane
Brooks. Their later assignments included
the Naval Post Graduate School and shore duty at Subic Bay in the
Philippines. He resigned from the Navy
in June 1967.
Upon entering civilian life, Hal earned another Master’s
degree, this time in Education. He then
joined the Monrovia, CA Unified School District as a teacher. He retired from there in 1987. Jane also enjoyed a career with the Monrovia
school system. Hal and Jane hosted 22
foreign students in their home over the years.
After retirement, they enjoyed much travel, and periodically Hal would
transit to the class 56W socials in San Diego.
Their four children, Janette, Elizabeth, Kenneth, and Rachael, are all
married and live within three miles of Hal and Jane’s home, and have increased
the family to eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Hal died on 5 November 2006 of a cerebral hemorrhage
stroke. Jane had passed away in 2004
from chronic lymphoid leukemia. Their passing has been a source of grief for
the family, but at the same time a great source of celebration of the wonderful
and productive lives they enjoyed.