Myron Ashner "Ron" Halle III

1953 - 2024

Myron Ashner Halle, III (March 25, 1953 - April 13, 2024)

Ron departed this life on April 13, 2024 after a nearly thirty-five year battle with Parkinson's disease. He was seventy-one. He passed peacefully at his residence in Florida, having lived happily in Florida for about forty-five years.

He was born to Myron A. Halle, Jr. and Mary Shirley Moore Halle, becoming a sixth-generation Memphian upon birth. He was one of the many descendants of the German emigrant Meyer Halle (b. 1825) that had made Memphis his new home.

A graduate of Memphis University School, The University of Tennessee (Phi Gamma Delta), and finally Southern Methodist University (MBA), he entered the workplace as a life insurance wholesaler, designation CLU. He retired after a staggering diagnosis of Parkinson's. Ron made his children, his faith, civic & religious organizations, and volunteering a priority in his daily life. Boundless and abundant energy fueled his fire to be well engaged; his optimism remained intact, and he was steadfastly joyful, even throughout many external challenges and demands.

In the late nineties, the prospect of extending the amount of time he would have to parent his very young children, motivated him to courageously set out on a daredevil mission. The newest technologies offered him hope to fully rear his children to adulthood, something that with his diagnosis, he had assumed an unattainable goal. He decided to risk very complicated, delicate neurosurgery. PERGE!

The first neurosurgeon to perform Deep Brain Stimulation in the state of Florida, Dr. James Schumacher, surgically implanted the unilateral device, 2003. This therapy had only been approved in the year 2002 and was not without inherent risk. Dr. Schumacher had established the first DBS program at The University of Miami, 1998, after completing his neuro-surgical residency at Harvard Medical School. Ron was one of the first in the state to have such an implant, referring to himself as a 'guinea pig' for scientific advancement and the possibility of better quality of life.

In 2004, he went on to have a secondary implant, at the University of Florida, with the dynamic team, Dr. Kelly Foote & Dr. Michael Okun. These pioneers piloted Ron's neurological healthcare until his passing, enabling him a full and thoughtful life, despite debilitating disease processes. Deep Brain Stimulation brought about a brighter future, a restorative future for Ron. He had hoped to return to the health of the past. He felt that the DBS therapies had given him his life back, and it truly had.

Deep Brain Stimulation afforded his family and friends the embrace of his goodness and generosity, his humor, and advice. He regained the infectious nature of his smile, and gentle voice. It replenished all of his confidence.

He shared more than a decade with his devoted and adoring wife. Ron leaves her behind, along with children, grandchildren, and a brother. He was preceded in death by a loving sister.

We would like to specifically extend our gratitude to those that fought the good fight on behalf of Ron, when he could not. They are our champions:

Mr. Morris & Pam Whittner LeCompte, for having ears, eyes, minds focused on Ron without delay or hesitation.

Mr. Steve Crabtree (Janet) for lifelong friendship and unwavering dedication.

Mr. Gregory Gallagher for a million laughs in between the miles & years.

We'd like to extend our gratefulness to the grandchildren of Mrs. Eddie Mae Strickland, a woman of faith that had shared her life's lessons with the Halle children, in addition to her own child and grandchildren.

Ron's love for others was true. He is beloved as 'John Wayne with a cane', a brave, long-suffering man that will be deeply, desperately, missed. He was and is loved, and worth every effort.

Go Cards! Go Vols! Go Owls! PERGE!

I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me

Tributes to Ron are greatly appreciated:

University of Florida Foundation
Fixel Institute Neurological Diseases
POB 100243
Gainesville, Florida 32610

and

Memphis University School
Advancement & Diversity
6191 Park Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38119