Richard Clarke Hallman

Richard “Rick” Hallman, 72 of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida went home to be with the Lord on February 19, 2023. He was surrounded by his family at his peaceful passing after a five year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born in Rochester, New York to Marshall and Lois (Naylor) Hallman, the youngest of two sons, Robert, being his older brother by ten years.

He attended The Albany Academy in Albany, New York in his late elementary – middle school years and graduated in the Class of 1963. In the summers throughout these years he went to The Adirondack Swim Camp in Rainbow Lake, NY, a private summer camp for boys. The camp emphasized swimming, mountain climbing and canoe tripping. Richard excelled there summer after summer and became an advanced swimmer and a National Rifle Association Marksman First Class 50 Ft. Award recipient.

In junior high school, he attended Northwood School in Lake Placid, New York. Richard was superior at mathematics and downhill skiing. He graduated high school at Webster Academy, Webster, Massachusetts in 1969.

At Emerson University in Boston, Massachusetts, Richard began his career in the theatre. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1972. Richards’ acting coach moved on to Ohio State University and he followed her there and enrolled in the Actor Professional Training Program. He became a member of the Ohio Repertory Company and gained his Equity card (the professional actors’ labor union) following his performance in the outdoor drama “Tecumseh”.

He went onto New York City to Off and Off-Off Broadway productions. Richard was a natural entertainer, great at drama, comedy and children's theatre. He was hilariously funny with a quick wit, adept with impersonations and also played guitar, wrote songs and poems.

Richards’ interests were changing and in 1985 he enrolled in The New School for Social Research in Manhattan, New York where he completed the requirements for The New York Restaurant School and graduated from there in July of that year. He went to work for Bobby Flay, the renowned chef and TV personality, at La Mesa Grill in New York City and under his influence, his passion for Southwestern cooking was set aflame in him.

Richard had met Victoria Gordy, born in Elmira, New York, when he was at Ohio State University and she was at Ohio University, respectively, both in Professional Actor Training Programs. They were introduced through mutual friends to go on a blind date in 1975, A spark was lit but it would be some time before they got married. They were married in Albany, New York in 1989.

The birth of their first child, Christopher, came shortly thereafter. His birth was traumatic but he survived. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy but he was and is strong otherwise.

In 1990, Richard opened Café West in Albany, New York to luminous reviews and it wasn’t long till Café West was among the top 3 dining spots in the Capital Region.

In 1992, a second child, a daughter, Alexandra was born. A momentous occasion. A beautiful, whole and healthy baby girl.

A decision to move to South Florida soon followed. The Hallmans’ settled in Palm Beach Gardens in PGA National and Richard became Sous Chef at The PGA National Resort.

However, “Café West” was calling and Richard opened the same restaurant in North Palm Beach, FL in 1999. Just like in Albany, New York, Café West in Palm Beach County opened to rave reviews and even hit the list of Best Restaurants in Palm Beach County in 1999. Eventually, Café West had to close and Richard continued his work as a professional chef at BallenIsles Country Club as Grill Room Chef, and Allegro Café as Executive Chef both in Palm Beach Gardens. Richard received accolades for his culinary talents wherever he worked.

Another consummate passion he had was Dogs. He became a Certified Dog Trainer at the International K-9 College in Palm Beach Gardens with Robert Anderson in 2014. He had a goal to open Rick Hallman’s Dog Training School but sadly, it could not come to fruition.

Richard had a true entrepreneurial spirit and will be remembered professionally for his talent to create incredibly delicious food, sense of passion, creativity, great fun-loving and open personality and total dedication to his customers, restaurant staff and work as a professional chef here in Palm Beach County.

And last, but not least, Rick was a loving, caring husband. A real family man. A present and involved father with his son and daughter and committed to the life of the family and of course the three dogs. And most important, Richard loved God too. He was sensitive to his spiritual life and pursued growth opportunities to develop maturity at Christ Fellowship Church. Together, faith in God was the foundation for his marriage to Victoria.

Richard, Victoria and their children joined Christ Fellowship Church in 1996 and were one of two founding families’ to start the Special Needs Ministry at Palm Beach Gardens campus in 2000. Our family is blessed to have had and continue to have this church as our place of worship, spiritual growth and fellowship.

Richard was predeceased by Marshall Hallman (father) and Lois Hallman (mother).

He is survived and missed by his loving wife, Victoria, of 34 years, and his truly gifted and wonderful adult children, Christopher Hallman of Palm Beach Gardens, FL and Alexandra and his son-in-law Darren Ryberg of North Palm Beach, Florida; precious and beautiful grandchildren: Olivia, Maddox and Mackenzie Ryberg; his devoted, big hearted and incredible brother, Robert Hallman of New York City; and beloved cousins, nieces, nephew and friends.

A celebration of life for Richard will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Aycock-Riverside Funeral and Cremation Center, 1112 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458. A memorial service will occur Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 1112 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458. A reception will occur Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 1112 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.aycockfuneralhomejupiter.com for the Hallman family.