Dr. Howard Ralph Hall III

Dr. Howard Ralph Hall, III was born September 14, 1950, in Yokohama, Japan to Dr. Howard R. Hall, Jr. and Dorothy Lillian Johns Hall. Howard’s father served in the Korean war during Howard, III’s birth. Howard departed this life on December 5, 2024. He was also lovingly known as “Howie” to his family and close friends.

He graduated from Woodward High School in Cincinnati, OH in 1969 and then went on to graduate from Delaware State University in Dover, DE with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Howard was motivated to evolve from an average high school student to an excellent college student. This change allowed him to graduate from Princeton University earning his doctorate in Experimental Psychology. After receiving his degree from Princeton, he continued his studies to earn a second doctorate (Psy.D) in Clinical Psychology from Rutgers University. At one point, he was attending both schools at the same time. He was completing his thesis at Princeton, when he had a brain aneurism that caused him to be hospitalized at the age of 28. He miraculously recovered and was able to continue his academic pursuits. Nine months after his stroke, he married the girl of his dreams that he met while in college, Jeanie Mosley.

Upon completion of his education, Howard became a postdoctoral fellow at Rutgers University. Howard’s first appointment as an Assistant Professor was at Penn State University where he also worked with Joe Paterno and the Penn State football team helping players to obtain better focus when playing the game. From there he was asked to come to Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, and University Hospitals of Cleveland in 1987 where he remained until his retirement in 2022. He had a passion for teaching students and working with patients helping them overcome health issues by using non-pharmacological approaches to pain management such as biofeedback and hypnosis. Because of his interests and work in this field, Howard became affectionately known as the grandfather of Psychoneuroimmunology. By the time Howard became Full Professor, he had over 100 publications as book chapters, books, articles, videos, and abstracts. 

Howard was known across the US and the world for his unique research in a Middle Eastern Sufi phenomenon surrounding energy-based rapid wound healing which merited him a spot on a National Geographic television presentation. He wanted to apply his training to positively manage pain and risk of infection to his clinical practice. His work was the subject of numerous local TV news clips as well. This research allowed him to travel to places such as Northern Iraq, Poland, Benin, Togo, and Jordan to name a few. Once when he and his wife traveled to Aruba for the first time, one of the local waiters at a restaurant was taken aback as he served Howard saying, “Hey, I know you! I saw you on the National Geographic program!” Things like this often happened wherever he went.

Howard’s other passion was playing jazz piano. He started out with his own band while in high school in Cincinnati. He enjoyed playing for neighbors and other students. He was also a trumpet player and drum major in high school and at Delaware State University. He was such an extraordinary musician that he could have had a professional musical career. While in Cleveland, he started the musical group called the HH Jazz Circle originally consisting of doctors and staff members at the hospital. Playing in the hospital atrium for doctors, patients, faculty, staff and visitors was enthusiastically received. The group’s reputation grew, and they were asked to play at various venues such as the Taste of the Browns charity events as well as formal events held by University Hospitals of Cleveland. Eventually they were able to record a CD of their most popular songs. Later in life, while at the Majestic Care Center in Fairfield, OH, he would entertain residents and was invited to join in to play a few songs with a professional band that came to the facility at the request of the activities director.

Growing up, Howard was a member of Gaines United Methodist Church where he participated in the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) programs. During his adult years, he became interested in the Sufi Muslim school of Tariqa Kasnazani where he was able to work closely with Shaikh Muhammad al-Kanazani and his son, Shaikh Nahro, on several projects. Because of this relationship and teachings, Howard decided to become a practicing Sufi Muslim. 

Howard became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, various professional boards and organizations. Giving back was also a passion of his as he was known to donate to several causes. He loved playing tennis with friends at the Shaker Heights, OH tennis courts. He would often boast about playing so hard that he needed a new pair of tennis shoes because he would wear holes in them twice during the spring and summer season. Two of Howard’s most cherished moments were being able to hood his older daughter, Ilea, when she received her master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University and to view his younger daughter, Karelle, successfully defend her doctoral dissertation at Rutgers University.

He led a full and exciting life and will be missed by all who knew him. Howard leaves to cherish precious memories; his devoted wife, Dr. C. Jean Mosley Hall (Jeanie) of 46 years; their two daughters, Mrs. Ilea Elizabeth Mosley Hall Speight (Bryan), and Dr. Karelle Ayita Hall; two grandchildren Ariyah and Orion Speight; two sisters, Dr. Lillian Hawkins and Dr. Juanita Gaines (Frederick); nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of colleagues and friends.

For those wishing to honor Howard, may we suggest a donation to The Fairfield, Ohio Food Pantry, www.fairfieldfoodpantry.org.