James Rudyard Hall

NEWPORT NEWS, VA - James Rudyard Hall, age 93, passed peacefully Friday January 30, 2015 after a brief respiratory and heart illness. He remained vibrant to the end. In passing, he was surrounded by his four devoted sons and family. The love of his life, Lou, passed five months earlier in August of 2014 after 62 years of marriage. "Jim" was raised in Brooklyn, NY, one of five children of George and Marjorie Hall. As a kid and young man in Brooklyn, NY the allure of airplanes and flight governed his life with countless bike rides to Floyd Bennett Field, a hub for early aviation and flight pioneers intent on breaking world records. In the midst of the world shaking din at Floyd Bennett Field, Jim earned his flying license at age 18. At 19 he applied through the Clayton Knight Commission to become a pilot in the British Royal Air Force. In May of 1941, after two years of college, he left New York by boat bound for England. Due to heightened wartime submarine activity, the boat was diverted to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Wartime dynamics forced Jim to change his plans. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and earned his wings in August of 1942. He left for England by troop transport, arriving on British soil in October of 1942. Jim flew 6 combat tours in all manner of bombers and attack aircraft in the service of the British Royal Air Force, accumulating some 3500 hours of flight time, and in his words, "culminating a great adventure that lead to a whole lot of flying for free." After the war Jim returned to college, receiving an Aeronautical Engineering degree from Brooklyn Polytechnic in 1948. With a few dollars in his pocket, he left New York on his Indian motorcycle for his first post collegiate job with NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) at Langley Field in Hampton, VA. At the time, NACA was considered to be the world's premier aeronautical research and development facility. NACA evolved into NASA in 1958. Their mission, among others, was to study and solve the practical aeronautical engineering problems that would help spearhead the births of supersonic, rocket and aerospace flight in the 1950's and 60's. Jim spent 44 years in service to NACA/NASA. His passion for aviation never ebbed. Jim married Mary Louise Albrittain on June 28, 1952, while he was working in the pilotless aircraft research division at NACA. They enjoyed a long, loving life together, raising 4 sons, participating extensively in a variety of community activities around Hidenwood and tirelessly attending myriad sporting events of their kids and grandchildren. The 1950's and 60's were a special time for them, working and socializing with a tight knit group of NACA/NASA professionals and colleagues, a community of world beaters focused on and dedicated to the proposition that they all, each and every one, could make a difference. They did. And he did. The friendships formed and the spirit summoned lasted for decades, never failing. Preceded in passing by his wife, Mary Louise (August 2014), he is survived by his four sons and their families, namely: Michael Kevin Hall, wife Teresa, children Christian Michael and Janey Louise of Carrollton, VA; John Rudyard Hall, wife Parks, children Samuel Albrittain and Helen Rudyard of Atlanta, GA; Patrick Anthony Xavier Hall, wife Marinella, children Valentina Louise, Arianna Jessica and Federica Shannon Tess of Columbia, SC; Thomas Richard Zachariah Hall, wife Melissa, children Seamus Rudyard Zachariah, Jacqueline Leigh, Katherine Jean and Eamon Patrick Jebidiah of New York City. He is also survived by two siblings; Alice Beck of Brooklyn, NY and Florence Busby of Honomu, Hawaii, along with many cherished nieces and nephews. His sisters Marion Gallagher and Irene Busey preceded his passing. In lieu of flowers, contributions to a favorite charity are requested. Burial services will be private. In celebration of Jim's life, friends are welcome to share remembrances and fellowship with family on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Schlesinger's in Port Warwick (the Kennedy room) anytime between the hours of 5:00pm and 9:00pm.