Robert C. Hale

Robert C. Hale
Robert C. Hale of Medford, died at his home on December 6, 2007 after a prolonged illness. He was 87 years old. Dad was known by many as "The Candy Man" due to his always carrying around a pocket full of wrapped, hard candy. Dad would offer a piece of candy to everyone he met, friend or stranger.
Dad was born on March 2, 1920 to James and Abbie (Maxcy) Hale in Speedwell, Va. He was educated in schools in Virginia and worked in the coal mines in West Virginia as a young man. Dad served in the CCC from 1938 to 1940 and was stationed in La Pine, Oregon for a short period, at which time he became enchanted with Oregon. After leaving the CCC, he returned to West Virginia where he met and married Maxine Tolley on February 26, 1941.
Dad entered the Marine Corps in 1943, and served in the Pacific during World War II. Upon being honorably discharged in 1945, he returned to West Virginia to again work in the Havaco, West Virginia coal mine. Following a mine explosion, he risked his own life to rescue miners from the devastation that resulted from the explosion and was featured on the Red Cross poster, acclaimed as a hero.
The family moved to Oregon in 1951 where dad worked in construction for many years. He loved to read, spend time with family and friends, to sing and celebrate life. He was a member of First Baptist Church for more than 50 years and served as a deacon there during the 1980's
Dad was preceded in death by our mother, Maxine, his wife of 66 years, who died in May of this year, two sisters, Bonnie Jean and Mabel, and three brothers, Elbert, Blake and Jay. He is survived by daughter, Bobbie Weatherill and husband Leslie of Port Orchard, Washington, son, Randall Hale of Medford and son, Bill Hale and wife, Shelly, also of Medford, brothers, Ardle Hale and wife, Kitty, Pete Hale and wife, Darlene, all of Medford. Don Hale and wife, Barbara of Fountain Valley, Calif.; and sisters, Margaret Padgett of Princeton, West Virginia, Alma Stuart of Speedwell, Virginia and Frances Christen of Richmond, Virginia, 11 grandchildren, 17 great- grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dad will be cremated and a memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 11:00 a.m., at the Hillcrest Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society, Providence Hospice and Home Care, or Word of Life Christian Fellowship may be made in memory of Robert C. Hale.
Arrangement by Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary, Medford 773-6162. www.hillcrestmortuary.com