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Prof. Robert Leonard Hall

Robert Hall Obituary

Prof. Robert Leonard Hall Robert Leonard Hall was born to Taylor and Elsie Nejedlo Hall on Feb. 8, 1927, in Green Bay Wis. While a student at Green Bay's East High School, he earned the distinction of being the second place winner in the national Westinghouse Science Talent Search for high school students. He was also an Eagle Scout. After a year in the Navy, Mr. Hall entered the University of Wisconsin-Madison on the G.I. Bill, where he acquired B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in anthropology. In 1958 he married Barbara Lee Mohr, who would be his wife and collaborator for 53 years. They moved to South Dakota, where Mr. Hall served as director of the Institute of Indian Studies at the University of South Dakota and then later to Springfield, Ill., where he became curator of anthropology at the Illinois State Museum, followed by a year as an associate professor at Marquette University. From 1968 to 1998 Mr. Hall taught at the University of Illinois at Chicago, ten of them as chair of the Anthropology Department. As an anthropologist he specialized in archaeology and American Indian studies. Mr. Hall died Friday, March 16, 2012, in Libertyville, Ill., at the age of 85 from complications of a carcinoid cancer. He is survived by wife, Barbara and daughters, Jane (Paul) Taylor, Kathryn Hall, Martha (Peter) Hansen and Susan (Ryan Juza) Hall, and four grandchildren. The visitation will be held on Tuesday March 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. at McMurrough Funeral Chapel, Ltd., 101 Park Place (Route 176, one block east of Milwaukee Ave.), Libertyville. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 21, at 10 a.m. at the St. Lawrence Episcopal Church in Libertyville, Ill.

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Published by Daily Herald on Mar. 19, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Hall

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Bill Iseminger

March 13, 2022

Difficult to believe it has been 10 years as my memories of Bob are still fresh, from first meeting him while excavating at Dickson Mounds in 1967, through his research and field schools at Cahokia Mounds in the mid-1970s, and his writing and presentations at conferences--always with keen insights that influenced all of us. Below is a photo on top of Monks Mound May 10, 1994, for an observation of the annular eclipse with Bob, center by tripod, and his childhood friend and lifelong colleague, Warren Wittry, far right.

Alice Azure

April 15, 2012

I will always cherish the wonderful introduction Dr. Hall wrote for my book of poetry about Cahokia Mounds--Games of Transformation. More so, I hold dear his mind-boggling work, An Archaeology of the Soul. How fortunate Indian Country (and the rest of America) is to have had such a scholar speak for us.

Jim Knight

March 23, 2012

I will miss Bob a great deal. He was bright, funny, unpredictable, and a fine friend besides. My deepest condolences to Barbara and the family.

Johann Sawyer

March 23, 2012

Bob was a wonderful soul, a gentleman and a scholar. In the brief time I knew him, he taught me so much. It was a privilege and honor to know him. My deepest sympathies.

Alex Barker

March 23, 2012

Bob was a gentle man and a gentleman, a good scholar and better friend, and I feel very privileged to have known him. I am so deeply sorry for your loss.

The Cwik family, Ed, Dawn, Sarah and Matthew

March 22, 2012

Martha and Pete, we are so sorry for your loss. Please accept all our prayers and sympathies.

March 22, 2012

I am so sorry to hear of Bob's death. A great archaeologist and a friend. My sympathy, Barbara and family.
Margaret K. Brown

UIC Field School circa 1972

Robert Hall

March 22, 2012

Lisa Stringer

March 22, 2012

Dr. Hall was wonderful teacher and true scholar. He was always willing to help a student or share an idea or thought. It was a privilege to be one of his students at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

My deepest sympathy to his family. May wonderful memories help you through this time of sadness.

Eloise Gadus

March 22, 2012

Dr. Hall is now following the starry path to the afterlife. His fine life's work has prepared the way.

Len Stelle

March 22, 2012

I only knew Bob for maybe twenty five years, I wish that it could have been longer. A nimble, witty person whose presence was always most pleasant. The intellectual depth and complexities of his mind always left me asking him to teach me more. The archaeology of Illinois is diminished by this loss of a giant of his generation.

Kurt Sampson

March 21, 2012

Robert was one of the Most influential archeologists of the 20th century in North America and especially in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. His numerous contributions to archeology are great in number. One of my all time favorites is his classic book: An Archeology of the Soul...he influences my career and thinking about the world to this day...and I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with him on many occasions. He was always quick with great advice and knowledgeable beyond belief. One of the true greats.

Duane Esarey

March 21, 2012

Bob broadened the horizons of every archaeologist who knew him.

Jennifer Blitz

March 21, 2012

Dr. Hall was such a wonderful teacher; kind, thoughtful and the memory of a steel trap. He would amaze all of the students and profs with his unbelievable recollection of trivia and tidbits that he read in one paragraph, in one book, 10 years before.He always had a smile on his face, a hearty laugh, and never an unkind word about anyone.

They broke the mold when they made Dr. Hall. My deepest sympathies to the family.

George Sabo III

March 21, 2012

Bob was a truly inspirational personal. He will live on in our memories.

Katie Rudolph

March 21, 2012

The field has lost an intelligent mind and a beautiful soul. Thank you Bob for your contribution. You will be appreciated and remembered for many, many generations to come.

Thomas Loebel

March 21, 2012

Bob's legacy lives on in the many lives he touched, the students he taught and inspired, as well as the colleagues he informed. I will miss his kind manner, sharp wit, and good humor.

Sharron Santure

March 21, 2012

I am so sad to know that Bob is no longer with us. What an amazing mind and kind heart--I will never forget being partnerless at a Cajun dance in New Orleans and Bob graciously got up and danced with me--what a gentlemen. My heart goes out to Barbara and the girls.

Timothy Baumann

March 21, 2012

The staff of Indiana University's Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology sends its condolences to Dr. Hall's family and friends. He was both a great scholar and colleague. He will be missed at the annual meetings, but his research and the students he influenced will last for generations.

Thomas Emerson

March 21, 2012

Bob truly was a gentlemen and a scholar - his brilliance, his kindness, and his continual good humor will be sorely missed by those of us who had the privilege of knowing him. Our sincere condolences to Barbara and all his family from the staff of the Illinois State Archaeological Survey.

Bil Iseminger

March 21, 2012

We have lost a briliant mind with keen insights that had a great impact on our profession. Bob's kind heart, gentle soul and unique wit will long be remembered and I was glad to have him as a friend and colleague. My condolences to Barbara and his family.

Vergil Noble

March 21, 2012

I have many fond memories of long and animated conversations with Bob at meetings over the years, and I will miss his interesting insights into the past. My sincere condolences to his family.

Karen Atwell

March 21, 2012

My deepest sympathies to Bob's family. He will be greatly missed. He touched the lives of many people throughout the years, and his influence will continue on.

Glen Freimuth

March 21, 2012

My condolences to Bob's family. He was a great man, an excellent archaeologist, and an exceptional colleague. He will be greatly missed by all.

Mark Lynott

March 21, 2012

The staff of the Midwest Archeological Center, National Park Service offer their sincere condolences to Bob's family and friends. Bob was a great person and a fine archeologist. He was an RBS archeologist and a good friend to the Center. He will be missed.

ann early

March 21, 2012

My deepest sympathies to Bob's family, and to his host of colleagues and former students. Any conversation with Bob left me inspired and uplifted. I will miss him.

Charles Markman

March 21, 2012

Sad news indeed. Deepest condolences to the Hall family. I will always remember Bob as a good human being and as a generous, helpful, and stimulating colleague.

Rochelle Lurie

March 21, 2012

My condolences to all of Bob's family and to his many good friends. His influence on so many archaeologist was and still is profound. I will miss his helpfulness, enthusiasm and good will.

Brian Adams

March 21, 2012

Condolences to the Hall family. Dr. Hall was an incredible scholar with a great sense of humor. He made field school a unique experience for many of us. We will all miss him.

Joe Tiffany

March 20, 2012

It is with deep sadness that I learned of Bob's passing. He was a good man and had a profound influence on my career in archaeology. My condolences.

jane fenton

March 20, 2012

My heart goes out to an amazing family today. Your dad's legacy is widespread, profound and meaningful.

Diana Smith Wright

March 19, 2012

My prayers are with the Hall family at this time. Bob was an amazing person!

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