Kenneth Hall Obituary

Kenneth D. Hall VIRGINIA BEACH - Dr. Kenneth D. Hall, 77, of Punta Gorda, Fla., and formerly of New Jersey, passed away Nov. 5, 2008. Dr. Hall was the director of Secondary Education from 1968 to 1971 for Norfolk City Schools. Dr. Hall is survived by his children, Sharon Sughrue of Charlotte, N.C., Cyndy Hall of Virginia Beach, Kay Dee Hall of Oregon and Kenneth D. Hall Jr. and wife Colleen of Concord, N.C.; brother, Robert Hall; and sister, Dorothy Hunt; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many other loving family and friends. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in Rosewood Kellum Funeral Home with the Rev. Robert F. Pittman officiating. Interment will be in Rosewood Memorial Park. Flowers are welcome, or memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.

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Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Nov. 7, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Hall

7 Entries

Ron and Deanie Gudac

November 19, 2008

To the family of Dr. Kenneth Hall. We have had the distinct honor and pleasure to know your father and grandfather as a neighbor, friend and confidante for the past five or six years. While he did not spend as much time here in Punta Gorda as we would have liked (he was always on the go), we enjoyed his companionship and friendship immensely during his brief stays here at Breakers Point. Ken always had interesting stories to tell about his travels and experiences from his professional life. Unfortunately, we knew him in retirement, and, of course, when he was so very ill. We last visited with him at Southport Square in September where he hosted us to a lovely dinner. We had planned to visit him again upon our return from Chicago in late October, but that was not to be. We knew he was quite ill, but did not think that he would be taken so soon. He will forever be remembered by us as a kindly, courteous, southern gentleman who had nothing but the highest regard for his neighbors and his friends. We consider ourselves fortunate to have known him.

David Coates

November 16, 2008

I first met Ken almost twenty years ago. He was then Superintendent at Matawan Aberdeen Regional and his district had a problem. State aid was being cut back and Ken connected with Ed Thomas, Superintendent in East Windsor, who was experiencing the same problem, and before I knew it the late Vince Demaio and I were instructed to challenge the cutbacks. This was the beginning of an association that spanned the years and several legal challenges. Ken had an unswerving belief in the justice of property tax reform and stable and adequate funding for New Jersey's public schools, and a year after that first challenge, we were back in court, this time with 31 school districts behind us. The sitting governor, Governor Florio, backed away from massive cuts in state aid to middle income school districts and in fact restored $341 million in cuts. Ken made sure we had access to people and information that allowed us to understand where state money was going and tax burdens in every school district in the state. He also held a series of rallies and private meetings with all sorts of well connected people.His efforts on that occasion paid off and in fact they continued to pay off . The perception of the problem, largely developed under Ken's leadership, has passed into the realm of accepted wisdom, if not into real taxpayer relief. Ken brought a probing intelligence, a keen commitment and his own deceptive low-key North Carolina persona to the whole issue.

Ken loved good food, good conversation and the opportunity to make a difference to kids and taxpayers. For many years he faced down a series of severe health issues, but they did not keep him down, and well into his seventies he was in demand as an interim superintendent, and in his sixties, an international educator charged with making American style education available to Egyptian students in Cairo. He was a good and interesting man and a friend whom I will miss.

David Coates, Counsel East Windsor Regional School District

Ron & Jenanne Davis

November 15, 2008

We had the priviledge of knowing Ken as a friend and neighbor during much of his residency in Florida. We went through hurricane Charley together in 2004. His thoughtful and logical contributions to our reconstruction were greatly appreciated by all.

He will be remembered as a kind and caring individual with a smile and positive word for everyone he met.

Theresa Giambrone

November 12, 2008

Dear Dr. Hall's Family:

I knew Dr. Hall when he was Interim Superintendent at Mercer County Special Services School District where I work. I sat right outside the door of his office. Dr. Hall was always very kind to me. I can recall one day when I received a very difficult phone call? Dr. Hall consoled me and was very nice to me.

I was so sorry to hear this sad news.

Please know that I will be praying for each of you. I offer my sincere sympathy to the entire family.

Sincerely,
Theresa Giambrone/Secretary/H.R./MCSSSD

James Drautman

November 10, 2008

Ken will long be remembered for his many major contributions by the students, staff and Board of Education of the North Hunterdon Regional District.

Having lived in Virgina Beach (and Portugal) until illness forced me to return to KY, I regret I was unable to attend and say "adeus."

J.J. Drautman, Elizabethtown, KY. [email protected]

Helen & Gus Hintz

November 7, 2008

Dear Family of Dr. Kenneth D. Hall,

As Secretary to the Board of Education of the North Hunterdon Voorhees Regional High School District, Annandale, N.J., I worked closely with Dr. Hall, Superintendent for over eight years.

Words cannot express the sadness felt when we learned of his passing. We spoke on the phone only a month ago and were planning a visit with him later this month.

Dr. Hall was a very warm, sincere person and his loss leaves a deep void in all our lives. He shall be sorely missed and we extend our deepest sympathy to all his family and friends.

Dr. Dario Valcarcel, Jr.

November 7, 2008

Dear Family and Friends...

There are some things in this world that, try as you may, just cannot be adequately done. One of those things, for me at least, is to express adequately what I feel about the passing of Dr. Kenneth D. Hall, superintendent of schools in two NJ districts, and interim superintendent in many districts after his retirement from the Matawan-Aberdeen Schools.

Ken and I worked together for about a dozen years, and we have been friends for nearly 37 years. He gave me the first opportunity as a district administrator. It was my honor to count him among my friends. We were both veterans, we were both of the same age; we had the same political affiliations, and believed in public education with a passion.

Ken was a man of exceptional warmth and wisdom, and his loss leaves a void in all of our lives that will not be readily filled. We shall always remember him as a charming southern gentleman with a disarming demeanor.

As a superintendent, he had those natural abilities of leadership that inspired and enlivened those under his purview to their finest achievements. His fellow superintendents, administrators, teachers and staff in NJ universally liked him wherever he worked. Indeed, he earned the respect of everyone with whom he came into contact.

Ken was a man you cannot forget. For us who are left, he will continue to live in our memories and our hearts.

We know that he has gone to the rest that he has ably earned, and I think he knows that we will carry on in the manner, which he taught us throughout his professional exemplary life.

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