Robert Hall

1933 - 2025

Robert "Bert" Ayer Hall Sr., son of Richard and Hazel Hall, born on September 19, 1933, passed away on November 4, 2025, in the presence of his family, due to a bout with pneumonia after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer's. He was 92 years old.
Bert was born and raised in Lowell, Massachusetts. He was active in scouting and ultimately earned the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating high school in 1950 he enrolled in the Lowell Technological Institute, where he became involved in numerous activities including student government, theatre and glee club, and community/fellowship service organizations. In his senior year he served as president of the Iona Student Fellowship, an organization dedicated to fulfilling the religious needs of students of the Protestant faith. He graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor's degree in Synthetic Textile Manufacturing.
After graduation Bert was drafted into the Army. During the following two years he was assigned to Fort Dix in New Jersey, where he earned recognition as Outstanding Soldier in 1955, Fort Lewis in Washington, and finally to Fort Richardson in Alaska, where he served as a medic. It was during this third assignment that he fell in love not only with Alaska, but also with Helen Trice, whom he loved so deeply that he ultimately married her three times!
Bert's unwavering religious faith next took the newlyweds to Berkeley, California, and the Berkeley Baptist Divinity School. Bert studied to become a minister and graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1960; twenty years later his degree was upgraded to a Master of Divinity by the American Baptist Seminary of the West.
After seminary the Halls returned to Alaska with two young sons, Robert and Mark. Bert became Pastor for the American Baptist Church in Cordova, and over the next few years he and Helen were blessed with two more children, Sheryl and David. In 1964 they took in many people from Chenega, a nearby village which had to be abandoned after the '64 earthquake spawned a 27' tsunami that completely destroyed it. Their selfless act truly endeared the Halls to both communities.
Bert's sense of civic responsibility eventually compelled him to set aside his pastoral duties. The family moved to Anchorage in 1965, and what followed was a long list of civic engagements, employments, and memberships (not necessarily in chronological order), including: Executive Director of the United Way of Anchorage; Scoutmaster and member of the Western Alaska Council, Boy Scouts; Deputy Commissioner/Commissioner of the State of Alaska Department of Health and Welfare; Alaska Liaison to the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; Director of the Department of Health & Environmental Protection, Municipality of Anchorage; President of the Alaska Public Health Association; Executive Assistant to U.S. Senator Frank Murkowski in Anchorage and Washington, DC.; Director of Health & Social Services, North Slope Borough, Barrow; Director of the Department of Health & Social Services, Municipality of Anchorage; Associate Director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Anchorage Outpatient Clinic / Regional Office; Alaska Representative to the Governing Council of the American Public Health Association, including one term as President; Member of the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars during the Reagan and Bush administrations; Chairman of the Alaska Parole Board; Chairman of the Alaska Comprehensive Health Advisory Council; Chairman of the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council; Chairman of the Alaskan of the Year Committee; Member of the Alaska Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse; Member of the Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies - University of Alaska Anchorage Magadan-Chukotka Medical Expedition; President of the Rotary International Anchorage Club; Chairman of the Wasilla Chamber Military Affairs Board; Member of the [Matanuska] Valley Performing Arts Board; Member of the [Matanuska] Valley Christian Conference Board; Member of the Wasilla Rotary Club; Board member of the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry.
Other notable achievements: Jaycee's Distinguished Service Award, 1966; Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award, 1969; Alaska Public Health Association Long-Term Service Award, 1983; Alaska Public Health Association 1988 Barbara Berger Award; Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Chairman's Award, Military Committee, 1993-94; Honorary member of the Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce, 2001; Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, 2001; US Army Commander's Award for Public Service, 2004; The Alaska Distinguished Service Medal, for eight years of service to the Alaska Veterans Advisory Council, 2012; 52 years of perfect attendance in Rotary International. He was the Inaugural recipient of the Bert Hall Award, Mat-Su Health Foundation, June 10, 2013; an annual award dedicated to recognizing individuals who consistently exemplify a commitment to improving the health and wellness of people in the Mat-Su Borough.
Bert leaves behind a loving family. His wife Helen. Son Robert "Bob" and wife Amy. Son Mark. Daughter Sheryl (Wittig) and husband Michael. Son David and wife Joan. Adored grandchildren: Robyn Hall and Kiva Ketcham; Rebecca and Michael Wittig; Svea, Brigitta, and Annika Hall. Niece Margaret Levine. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his brother, Richard Hall.
One of Bert's pastimes in later years was reading obituaries, so if he is in a place where he can still read them, he might appreciate seeing this, as a reminder of all of the good things he will long be remembered for.
The Celebration of Bert's Life will take place beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla. The family requests that any donations be given to Alzheimer's Resource Alaska (AlzAlaska.org/donate).