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<p><em>Frederic Benjamin Hall III</em> was born into the military family of Almira Russ and Frederic B. Hall Jr. (USMA 1935). After graduating from a military boarding high school in 1955 in Manlius, NY, he was assigned to the USMA Preparatory School in Newburgh, NY. He entered West Point in July 1956, proudly following in his father’s footsteps. He was proud to be selected “Best New Cadet” during Beast. Fred participated in many sports, including track, water polo, and club volleyball. He was also on the Chess Team. He was the leading springboard diver on the Army’s intercollegiate Swim Team. He graduated fourth in his class, out of 565, in physical education. </p>
<p><em>I knew Fred from the USMA Prep School before entering West Point. We were in different companies during Beast Barracks but were both in G-1 in the fall and roomed together during the second semester of plebe year. Fred was a diver on the Swimming Team in the winter and then played on the club Volleyball Team in the spring. He always enjoyed the weekend volleyball trips to the New York Athletic Club pool and having fun in New York City for the weekends. He was a terrific athlete, companymate and full of fun.</em> — Roy O’Connor ’60 </p>
<p>Fred was a special cadet at West Point. I always admired the fact that he was a terrific athlete and a great diver. During our cow year he was one of the few selected to be a cadet corporal, and again, during our firstie year, he was selected to be a cadet lieutenant, a platoon leader. Those selections were reserved for those cadets who displayed unusual leadership potential and who were admired and respected by their classmates and other cadets, as well as by members of the Tactical Department.</p>
<p><em>I particularly recall Fred’s magnetic smile and good nature. Another recollection is the way that he and his wife always greeted, with warm affection, his former companymates at our class reunions.</em> — Bob Totten ’60 </p>
<p>Fred met his future wife, Eleanor Hughes, during a training assignment at Fort Benning, GA during Second Class summer. They were married in June 1960 and were blessed with two daughters and a son. They would have been married 62 years in June 2022. He graduated as a second lieutenant in the Artillery, and, after earning the coveted Ranger Tab and receiving airborne wings at Fort Benning, he served with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY. He earned his Senior Parachutist Badge and served as a battery commander. He was selected as the aide-de-camp to the assistant division commander. They were ready to board the plane to Cuba in 1962. When the general was transferred, Fred returned to DIVARTY. </p>
<p>Fred left the Army to work for Reynolds Metals Company and Honeywell, Inc. He was recruited by the Controls Systems Division of Robertshaw Controls in Richmond, VA. He served as the national sales manager and the general manager of the Energy Management Systems for Europe, which took him and Eleanor to London, England. They loved to travel and, while in England, visited many countries, including a family Christmas skiing trip in the French Alps. Fred joined Johnston Controls after his assignment with Robertshaw and retired in 2002 in Richmond. </p>
<p>He always wanted to fly and proudly got his private and commercial pilot’s license. Fred and his family were members of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church of Bon Air, VA for over 50 years, where he was a lay Eucharistic minister and served twice on the vestry. He served six years on the board at Willow Oaks Country Club, implementing many new polices. He was an avid golfer and looked forward to the many golf trips with his classmates. The links, poker and camaraderie were a priority. Tennis was always a big part of his family life, especially going to the U.S. Open in New York. He loved watching his son and daughter’s tennis matches and was courtside just several weeks before he died.</p>
<p>Fred continued to support West Point values as a member and the former president of the West Point Society of Richmond. He and Eleanor attended every reunion that the Class of 1960 had. It was easy for him to start a spontaneous conversation with a classmate he may not have seen in 50 years. Fred’s love for West Point was profound, and he loved to share West Point stories and memories (repeated often) with friends and classmates. </p>
<p>Fred died on April 6, 2022 in Richmond. This is an exert from an email from a classmate:</p>
<p><em>I was surprised and saddened to hear of Fred’s death. His picture is etched in my mind mainly of when we were in our 20s and full of energy and ideas. And I still see his ever-present smile that was hopeful. He conveyed a positive outlook that was contagious. I am grateful to have known him.</em> — Dick Nelson ’60 </p>
<p>It was clear his personality made an impact on anyone that knew him. His fun-loving spirit, million-dollar smile and love for life will be dearly missed. So may it be said, “Well Done; Be Thou at Peace.”</p>
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