Dr. J. Robert Halma

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J. Halma Obituary

Dr. J. Robert Halma
Dr. Robert Bob Halma, 71, of Upper Macungie Township, passed away on May 9, 2007 in Lehigh Valley Hospital. He was the husband of Linda (Kim) Halma. They celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary in April. He was the son of the late John and Bertha (De Jong) Halma of Hawthorne, N.J. He was a graduate of Eastern Academy. He received his bachelor of science degree from Calvin College, a master of science degree from Syracuse University, and a Ph.D from Lehigh University. After Calvin, he taught organic sciences, 1957-1960, at Eastern Christian High School, North Haledon, N.J. He was a professor of biology, 1962-2000, at Cedar Crest College, where he also served as arboretum curator, and dean of faculty, 1991-1992. During his tenure at Cedar Crest College, he helped to forge the cooperative arrangement between Hawk Mountain and Cedar Crest College. He was on the Allentown Mayors Environmental Advisory Board, 1975-76; an advisor to the Urban Observatory, 1976-77; manuscript reviewer for the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, 1977-2002; a member of The Task Force, Little Lehigh Watershed Consortium; PPL consultant; technical co-editor Lehigh Watershed Publication, 1986; Board of Directors, Pennsylvania Academy of Science, 1986-94; Board of Directors, Wildlands Conservancy, 1987-95; Board of Directors, International Foundation for Ewha Womans University (Seoul Korea), N.Y., N.Y., 1997-2003. He was the recipient of numerous awards, including 8 National Science Foundation awards; four Shell Assists awards, 1972-77; a Biography in and ; Historian for the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, 1986-1990; Merit Teaching Award, Cedar Crest College, 1987; winner of The Conservation Communicator of the Year Award by the Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation, 1988; winner of the Department of Environmental Resources Take Pride in Pennsylvania Award, 1989; and other assorted honors and awards. During his tenure, he published numerous reports and publications, including two books, (Rutgers University Press, 1988, 2006) and (Pennsylvania State University Press, 2001), both co-authored with Dr. Carl Oplinger of Muhlenberg College. A self-taught amateur artist, he illustrated most of the figures in his two natural history books, designed several dozen dust jackets for the books published by the Pennsylvania Academy of Science, and he designed the presidential medallion in 1968 for Cedar Crest College. After retirement, he enjoyed cartooning as a pastime. He was also an avid tennis player, ice hockey player, and golfer. Dr. Halma had memberships with the American Association for Advancement of Science, Ecological Society of America, Hawk Mt. Sanctuary Association and The Pennsylvania Academy of Science. Survivors: Wife, Linda; son, Thomas Robert and his wife, Fadia, of Upper Macungie Township; daughter, Kimberly (Halma) Martin and her husband, Marty, of Olive Branch, Miss.; four grandchildren, Kira, Maya, Amanda and Blake; sister, Ruth Myers of Brick, N.J.; nieces and nephews. Services: memorial, Tuesday, May 15 at 11 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, Allentown, reception following. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cedar Crest College Endowment Fund, c/o Bachman Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Home, 1629 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18102.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Morning Call on May 11, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for J. Halma

11 Entries

Jennifer Fish

May 31, 2007

Dear Halma Family,

Unfortunately, I never had the honor of meeting Dr. Halma in person. However, I feel that I have garnered a sense of the warm and wonderful man he was through knowing his beautiful daughter, Kim and great son, Tom. Of those two, no doubt, he was immensely proud. I also know that he must have been overwhelmed with joy in knowing his gorgeous grandchildren - one of whom shares his very eyes.

May the warm and joyous memories of your husband, father and grandfather comfort you until you see him again in Heaven.

Our Best,
Steve, Jen, Maddy, Connor & Katherine

Joan Roth

May 15, 2007

To the Halma Family,
I was one of Dr. Halma's students at Cedar Crest College 11 years ago. I will never forget my geology class with him. He was an inspiration to me. We surely lost one of the good men of this world with his passing. My deepset sympathy in this difficult time. My prayers are with you all. Dr. Halma will be missed.

C. Paul Stubbe

May 15, 2007

To the Halma family,
I was very saddened to hear about Bob's passing. We got to know each other pretty well at the Rodale Aquatic Center. He was always very upbeat, even when he might be having a difficult day. Always a pleasure to be around and work with (I made the "76" pin), he will surely be missed by all who knew him.

Monty Stuart

May 15, 2007

Dear Mrs Halma
I am deeply saddend by the passing of Bob. In the short time I knew him I kew him to be a friendly, easy to talk man who welcomed you with a smile. He will be missed.
Sincerely, Monty, (swimming partner at CCC pool)

Heidi Bright Butler

May 12, 2007

To the Halma Family -
It was said of Sir Christopher Wren (and also of one of Cedar Crest's early presidents, William Curtis), "If you wish to see his monument, look about you." The same could be said of Bob Halma. For generations to come, those who walk on the Cedar Crest campus admiring or studying the trees, will have Dr. Halma to thank. It was Dr. Curtis who acquired and planted many of the unusual species of trees and shrubs on Cedar Bluff, but years later when the original plantings began to die, it was Dr. Halma who found the funds to plant new ones. He had his students label them, and then, with financial support from the Alumnae Association, he took the initiative to file the application that enabled the campus to become registered as an arboretum with the American Association of Gardens and Arboreta. What a legacy he left the College and the community! Those of us who worked with Dr. Halma will also remember him as a man of reason, a formidable tennis player and as funnier than Johnny Carson in playing Carnac the Magnificent during the annual Student-Faculty Frolic. Good memories, all!

Barbara Barhydt

May 12, 2007

Dear Mrs Halma:

I was an environmental studies major of Dr. Halma's. He was a favorite professor and my mentor at Cedar Crest. He challenged my thinking, encouraged my exploration, and inspired me to be an urban planner. I am so thankful I was able to visit with him at Cedar Crest this November. His memory and influences remain vibrant in my memories. I offer you and your family my deepest sympathies.

Raymond Pisaneschi

May 12, 2007

Mrs. Halma, I will miss Robert. May he rest in peace. Just last Tuesday at Hawk Mountain I was reading his book 'The Poconos' and was thinking about him. Robert and I were "workout buddies" at the Rodale Aquatic Center. We always talked about current issues both locally and nationally and of course sports would enter our discussions. With sincere condolences.

Bob Scott

May 11, 2007

Dear Linda, Tom, and Kim,
I extend my sincere condolences in the loss of your husband and father. I am so grateful to have been able to visit with you, Linda and Bob recently, to have been able to laugh again about our years together at Cedar Crest. We could always count on our conversations being upbeat and positive. Judy and I will miss Bob very much. You are in our prayers; keep in touch.

Jill Cosper

May 11, 2007

I had the honor of working with Dr. Halma during my tenure at Cedar Crest. He was always energetic and willing to help any student or staff member who needed him. Rest in peace.

Audrey Ettinger

May 11, 2007

I truly enjoyed knowing Bob through Cedar Crest. Even though he had retired before I joined the Biology deparment, his almost-daily presence was important to all of us. This fall, I was touched when Bob brought my newborn son a "Superman" stamp to celebrate his birth.

I will miss him.

Audrey

Joe Sobiesiak

May 11, 2007

Mrs. Halma,
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the death of Bob. I am one of Bob's swimming buddies at the Rodale center. I stopped by the house two times last week to see how he was doing, unfortunately I did not know he was in the hospital. I will keep him in my prayers and I will offer a Mass for him as soon as possible. Unfortunately I will be traveling out of state next week and will not be able to make it to the memorial service. May he rest in peace. He was a good and honorable man!
Fr. Joe [or known simply as Joe]

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