Richard Hall

Richard Elliot Hall passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 12, 2024, in Rochester, MN. He was born on March 22, 1938, in Duluth, MN, to Elrose (Johnson) and Raymond Hall. Richard grew up in Minneapolis, MN, graduating with honors from Washburn High School in 1956. He then attended the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology, where he earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree in electrical engineering.

Richard had a distinguished career at IBM Corporation in Rochester, MN, from 1962 to 1994. He worked in various technical, project, and personal management roles, contributing to advancements in optical character recognition, personal computers, disk files, and medium-sized computer systems.

On June 18, 1966, Richard married Majel Ann Anderson, and they made their home in Rochester, MN. Together, they raised three sons: Gregory, Geoffrey, and Brian. Richard had a passion for woodworking and home remodeling, and he enjoyed traveling to diverse destinations such as Egypt, Russia, Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, and England.

Richard was actively involved in his professional community, serving as a board member for the Southern Minnesota Section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Chairman of the IEEE Professional Activities Committee, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Federation of Engineering Societies.

His commitment to community service was evident through his roles as a board member and President of the Rochester Library Board of Trustees, a board member and President of the Executive Board, Finance Committee, and Personnel Committee of SELCO (Southeastern Libraries Cooperating). He also served on the Rochester Charter Commission, chaired the Zumbro Church History and Archive Committee, and was a board member of the Olmsted County Genealogical Society. Richard was precinct chair and vice precinct chair for both the Olmsted County Republican and Democratic Parties. Additionally, he served as a merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts of America and a consultant for Junior Achievement. He was a board member and section leader for the Rochester Methodist Hospital Auxiliary Volunteers and President of the Rochester Kiwanis Day Makers.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Majel; his sons and daughters-in-law, Gregory and Diana Hall of Lake Elmo, MN, Geoffrey Hall and Michele Pritchard of Kansas City, MO, and Brian Hall and Kathryn Scott of Olympia, WA; his brother and sister-in-law, Douglas and Ramona Hall of Bloomington, MN; and his sister, Kathleen Hall de Bouillet of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law Julio de Bouillet, and his parents-in-law Wilferd and Violet Anderson.

A memorial service celebrating Richard's life will be held on Monday, October 28, at 11:00 a.m., with a reception following at 12:00 p.m., at Zumbro Lutheran Church, 624 3rd Ave. SW, Rochester, MN. Interment will follow at the adjacent Zumbro Lutheran Church Columbarium.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Hall family.