David Stanley Hall

January 12, 1935 - October 18, 2025

David S. Hall, 90, died October 18 after a short period of illness due to pneumonia. Born on January 12, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, David led a remarkable life which included a distinguished career in aviation engineering and safety. He later pursued a second career in sexuality education.

Dave earned his B.S. in electrical engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1957, M.S. in systems management from University of Southern California in 1972, and completed additional coursework in aviation safety, accident investigation, and crash survival.

Dave served in the United States Navy from 1957-1962 where he became a carrier pilot and a safety officer. He next worked for Lockheed for four years as a flight test engineer on several highly classified top-secret aviation projects. In subsequent years, he worked at Garrett/AiResearch as a Senior Flight Test Engineer, and as the Director of Research at the Robertson Crash Research Institute. He taught aviation safety courses at University of Southern California and other universities, as well as for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and in several countries, including South Africa.

Dave became an independent consultant in mishap investigation and prevention, and he investigated accidents all over the world. He published and presented research throughout his aviation career. He was particularly proud of his work with Harry Robertson on crash-resistant fuel systems. He was an active member of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI), where he was recognized as a fellow, an honor reflecting his expertise and contributions to aviation safety. Dave's accident investigation papers are housed in the Aviation Safety and Security Archives at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Phoenix, AZ. His fascination with the field of aviation never diminished, and his stories of his experiences fascinated others, as did his knowledge of current accidents.

Dave loved to travel, beginning with a cruise to visit Norway when he was 16 years old. He visited over 60 countries investigating accidents and traveling for pleasure. He was very outgoing and ran into people he knew in airports everywhere.

Dave's second career focused on sexuality education and research. He believed that ignorance regarding human sexuality and lifestyle relationships causes pain and confusion in this critical aspect of our lives, and that accurate knowledge and education are very beneficial. He received his Ph.D. in human sexuality from the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in 1995. He taught the Human Sexuality course at University of the Pacific for 15 years, and co-authored multiple publications and presentations with students. He created the Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality in 1998 (when few journals were published solely in electronic form) and continued to produce it through 2014. He was very active in the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, serving as President and Executive Board Director of the Western Region, and chairing five regional conferences.

Dave is survived by Roseann Hannon, his wife of 33 years; his daughters Sheri Dixon (Randy) and Tina Allen (John), eight grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; his stepdaughter Peggy Hannon (David); and his sister Patti Snowberger. He was preceded in death by his son David Michael Hall, and his brothers John Clifford Hall and Steven Wesley Hall.

A Celebration of Life is planned for early January, with details to be announced later. In place of flowers, the family suggests donations to the International Society of Air Safety Investigators or the Society for the Scientific Study of sexuality.