Richard W. Hall 1923-2012

Richard W. Hall, attorney, a long-time resident of Park Forest, passed away on Monday, May 14, 2012. He was born on June 3, 1923 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Hubert and Almeada (Eardley) Hall.

He received a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Arizona in 1945, and during the late 1940s, Mr. Hall worked as an analytical chemist for the USDA, a control chemist for Lever Brothers in Whiting, IN, and William E. Thompson Company, in Los Angeles, an instructor in Biochemistry Lab Technique at the University of Utah, and a research chemist in insulin production at Armour Pharmaceuticals in Chicago. He received several patents in chemistry and was involved in the development of the compound 2-4-D.

Mr. Hall attended John Marshall Law School at night and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1951. As he began his law practice, he also taught Chemistry at the Chicago Technical College from 1951-55. Mr. Hall served as the village prosecutor in Park Forest from 1961 to 1987.

He used his combined knowledge of Chemistry and Law to become an expert in the breathalyzer. He was instrumental in developing DWI laws throughout the United States and was one of the pioneers in recommending treatment in lieu of punishment for DWI offenders. He published several articles and essays on this topic for IICLE, Northwestern University School of Law Journal, Illinois Police Journal, and Chicago Kent Police Law Reporter. He taught courses in Alcohol Science & Jurisprudence at Governors State University and Northwestern University and has lectured on related topics at the Illinois State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Federal Department of Transportation, and the John Marshall Law School Institute for Criminal Justice.

He served on the board of directors of the South Suburban Council on Alcoholism, Family Service & Mental Health Center of Cook County, and as a director of the Illinois Alcohol and Drug Dependency Association, as well as the advisory committee of the Alcohol Sciences Division of Governors State University. He was admitted as an American Board Certified Forensic Examiner in 1994. He appeared twice on behalf of Park Forest at the Supreme Court, winning both cases. In 1981 he was a Distinguished Service Award recipient from John Marshall Law School. He worked in his later years as an expert witness and consultant as well as an arbitrator.

Mr. Hall was a long-time member and past president of the Park Forest Kiwanis Club; past president of the Rich East Twp. High School PTSA, member of the South Suburban, West Suburban, Chicago, and Illinois Bar Associations, the Suburban Prosecutors Association and the Villa Park Men's Garden Club.

Gardening was a favorite hobby of Mr. Hall. He had a large greenhouse built into his house and used his knowledge of chemistry to become a nationally recognized expert in hydroponic gardening . He was also a Master Gardener. He was known for his cooking as well, and volunteered for many years at the annual luau at Rich East and Kiwanis Pancake Day.

Mr. Hall was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) and served two years on a church mission. He also served as church landscaper, president of the 501st Quorum of Seventies, and a Sunday school teacher.

He is survived by his wife, Nicky; his older brother, Dr. Robert Hall, of Salt Lake; his seven children, Ginger Alvarez, of Texas, Pamela (Dennis) Ernst and Peggy Hall, both of San Jose, CA, Stephan (Geri) Hall, of La Farge, WI, Robert (Patty) Hall, Park Forest, and Betty (Rick) Newberry and Barbara (Jerry) Sheldon of Las Vegas, NV. He also is survived by 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Betty Fredrickson.

Richard Hall will be remembered by many as a loving husband and father, a devoted public servant, a wise counselor, and an adventurous spirit. He enjoyed fine dining, world travel, intellectual challenge, and especially time spent with his family and friends. His was a full life, well lived. There will be no funeral arrangements since his body is being donated to research.