Frederic Benjamin Hall III

HALL, Frederic Benjamin, III, of Richmond, Virginia, died April 6, 2022, in the loving arms of his family. He was born into a military family on August 17, 1937, to Almira Russ and Frederic B. Hall Jr. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jeffery Hall; and his beloved Yorkshire terrier, Brandi, who died on April 2, 2022, at age 18. He is survived by his loving wife, Eleanor, of 62 years; and his children, daughters Cynthia Hall-Kirby of Clermont, Florida and Karolyn Madge Hall (Lauren Ware) of Richmond, Virginia, son, Frederic Benjamin Hall IV "Ben" (Andrea) of Richmond, Virginia; three grandchildren, Austin Emory Hall, Brandon Henry Hall, Cassidy Eleanor Kirby; and sisters, Alice Lynn Hall and Katherine Hall Bucklin (Bruce), both of Leesburg, Virginia; and sister-in-law, Teency Good of Commerce, Georgia.

Fred graduated from high school in 1955 from The Manlius School in Manlius, New York. He was assigned to the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School in Newburg, New York. He entered West Point in July 1956 directly from the Army, proudly following in his father's footsteps who was a 1935 graduate. At West Point, Fred was the leading springboard diver on the Army's Intercollegiate Swim Team for his three upper class years. He graduated fourth in his class of 565 in physical education. While his class was traveling in the summer of 1958, Fred met Eleanor Hughes at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia. She drove up in her 1957 white Ford Fairlane convertible and it was "love at first sight." They were married in June 1960 in Columbus, Georgia, after Fred's graduation from West Point.

He graduated as a Second Lieutenant in the Artillery and after completion of the coveted Ranger Tab and Airborne Wings at Fort Benning, Georgia, he served with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He earned his Senior Parachute Wings and served as a Battery Commander and as the Aide-de-Camp to the Assistant Division Commander.

Fred left the Army to work for Reynolds Metals Company and Honeywell Inc. He was recruited by The Control Systems Division of Robertshaw Controls Company in Richmond. He served as the National Sales Manager and the General Manager of the Energy Management Systems for Europe, which took he and Eleanor to London, England. They loved to travel and, while in England, visited many countries including a family Christmas skiing trip in the French Alps. He joined Johnson Controls after the assignment with Robertshaw and he retired in 2002 in Richmond.

Fred was a member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church of Bon Air, Virginia, for over 50 years. He was a Lay Reader, Lay Eucharistic Minister and served twice on the vestry. Fred was a member of the Richmond Jaycees and a member and served on the board of Meadowbrook Country Club. Fred and Eleanor joined Willow Oaks Country Club in 1978 and he served six years on the board. He was instrumental in the implementation of many new policies. He continued to support West Point values as he served as the former President of the West Point Society of Richmond.

Fred's love for adventure and athleticism continued throughout his life - diving at the pool, coaching baseball and becoming an avid golfer and tennis player. He loved the camaraderie with friends. Tennis has always been a big part of his life - he loved going to New York for the U.S. Open and, up until a few weeks ago, still enjoyed watching Ben and Karolyn's tennis matches. He learned to fly and got his private and commercial pilot's licenses while in Richmond. Fred's love for West Point was profound and he loved to share many stories and memories. It was clear his personality made an impact on anyone that knew him. His fun-loving spirit, million-dollar smile and love for life will be dearly missed.

The service will be held at 2 p.m. at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Bon Air, Virginia on Saturday, April 30, 2022, with reception to follow at Willow Oaks Country Club. There will be a private interment on Monday, May 2, in Hollywood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project: 855-448-3997, woundedwarriorproject.org.