Dr. Robert Clinton Hall

Bob was born in Evanston, Illinois on November 28, 1931. He grew up in Lowell, Michigan, where he was a standout athlete in his small high school, winning the state mile championship in 1950. He attended the University of Michigan on a track scholarship and met his wife Linda Brainard there in the fall of 1952 through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

Since Bob had a heart for medical missions, Bob and Linda moved to the Panama Canal Zone in 1958 for internship and residency in surgery. After language study in San Jose, Costa Rica, Bob did a surgery fellowship in Cali, Colombia from 1963-65.

Bob and Linda’s three oldest children, Kathleen, Stephen and Martin were born in the Canal Zone. From 1965 to 1968, Bob worked as surgeon in New Orleans, where their son Brian was born. The family then lived in Syracuse, NY, from 1968 to 1980, then in Carmel, IN, from 1980 to 1995. Bob and Linda then lived in Fort Wayne from 1995 onward. Bob retired from his surgery practice in 2001.

Bob was a man of faith. He understood that life’s greatest rewards were spiritual, not physical. He had a gospel mentality and led his friends toward Christ when he could. He had a special heart for Chinese people and took several trips to China.

Running remained a passion of Bob’s for most of his life. He added an interest in table tennis later in life and continued playing at the club in Fort Wayne well in to his 80s, often surprising much younger players when he beat them soundly!

A passion for learning characterized Bob’s life. He remained active in medical research even after his retirement from surgery practice and he always took copious notes during sermons, which were legible only to him.

The family vacationed at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire almost every summer for many years, even driving all the way from Indiana. Bob eagerly joined in with hiking, leaping off the raft for Frisbees, and catching turtles.

Bob was a gregarious and charming person and would regale people with funny stories. Even at the memory care center, he won people over. He loved playing with the grandkids and helping with projects at his kids’ houses.

Bob is survived by his four children, Kathleen (Paul), Stephen (Kristen), Martin (BJ), and Brian (Carla), as well as twelve grandchildren, Justin Wilford, Andrew Wilford, Joshua Hall, Hope Hall, Luke Hall, Zachary Hall, Ezekiel Hall, Kassidy Hall, Lindsay Hall, Nathan Hall, Lydia Hall, and Ethan Hall. He also has two great-grandchildren, Keeland and Levi.

The funeral service for Bob will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, at The Chapel in Fort Wayne (2505 W Hamilton Rd S), with visitation from 9 to 11 at the same location.

You may also join the family and friends virtually for the service at www.thechapel.net/funeral

In lieu of flowers you make memorial donations may be made to The Chapel (https://thechapel.net/giving) or to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (https://give.intervarsity.org/).

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