Robert "Bob" Cromwell Hall, Sr

Robert Cromwell Hall, Sr. “Bob” passed away on October 8, 2015. Bob was the son of David McKee Hall and Edith Moore Hall and was born on June 9, 1923. Bob was a direct descendent of the first settler to establish a home and fort west of the French Broad River, Captain William Moore. He attended public schools in Sylva, NC and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Carolina Teachers College (now Western Carolina University). Bob was selected to appear in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Following undergraduate studies, Bob enlisted in the United States Navy and participated in Officer Training at the University of Notre Dame. After returning from military service Bob continued his education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the graduate program of Communications and the School of Law. He earned post graduate degrees from the North Carolina School of Banking at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University. Bob began his professional career as program director and announcer for WHCC radio in Waynesville, NC. He was also a juvenile probation counselor for Haywood County. From 1953 until 1956 Bob was Alumni Secretary and Director of Student Procurement for Western Carolina College. His banking career began in 1956 when he became manager of the College Street branch of The Bank of Asheville. The remainder of his 30 years in banking was in the main office as head of the Consumer Loan Department and then as Commercial Loan Vice President. In January of 1986 he retired from North Carolina National Bank, with which The Bank of Asheville had merged in 1979. “Bob Hall, with the Bank of Asheville”, as he was known, always had time for professional involvement and community service. In retirement, he continued to give many hours to volunteer activities. His professional affiliations have been as President of the American Institute of Banking, local chapter; President of Group 10, the North Carolina Bankers Association, including all the western counties; Treasurer of the WNC Home Builders, and honored as Associate of the Year; and member of the Asheville Board of Realtors. Community and volunteer services have included serving as president of: Central Asheville Association, Western North Carolina Chapter University of North Carolina Alumni Association, Buncombe County Chapter of Western Carolina University Alumni Association, Western North Carolina Chapter of the N.C. Symphony Society, Buncombe County Agricultural Advisory Council, Asheville Civitan Club 1965 (Civitan of the Year 1964), two United Way supported organizations – Asheville Day Nursery and Caring For Children. Other community activities: treasurer and board member of the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County and of the Smith-McDowell Museum, board member of the Blue Ridge Center and treasurer of the local March of Dimes for 10 years. He was active in the Asheville Jaycees and received a Key Man award in 1958. While living in Waynesville he was president of the Jaycees and treasurer of the local Lions Club. Bob was a die hard, yet moderate, democrat and served for many years as precinct chairman for the party. He was the brother of David M Hall, Jr., a member of the United States House of Representatives and the nephew of Daniel K. Moore, Governor of North Carolina and a Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. Bob’s grandfather, Frederick Moore, was North Carolina’s youngest Superior Court Judge. Bob was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, where he served as a church school teacher, lay reader, vestry member and senior warden. Anne Osborne, his first wife and the love of Bob’s life, preceded him in death on December 20, 1997. Bob’s second wife, Betty Duncan, preceded him in death on August 2, 2011. Survivors included Bob’s sons and their families: Robert C. Hall, Jr., Penny Parker and their daughter, Alexandra Parker; Allan M. Hall, his wife Deborah and their children, Allan McLean Hall, Jr. and his wife, Leslie, Conner Elizabeth Bocook Hall and her friend, James Hamilton; David C. Hall, his wife Marie and their children, David Coleman Hall, Jr. and his fiancé Jani Actman, Amanda Hall Begue and her husband Paul; Stepsons Scott Crawford, Todd Crawford and their families; and good friend and neighbor, Heinz Freese. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Care Partners 68 Sweeten Creek Road Asheville, NC 28803. Service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church on Thursday, October 15, at 2:00 pm. Family will receive friends after the service in the Parish Hall.

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Robert "Bob" Cromwell Hall, Sr

June 9, 1923 - October 8, 2015