An Interview with Rich Hall
by Jennifer Parker
Rich and I agreed that we like getting to know more about people through these interviews. It is a privilege to become better acquainted with Rich and everyone I interview. You may be the next one!
What would you like to share with the community about your life?
Rich was born on D Day 1944. “I was a small-town farm boy in central Illinois. My dad was a hired hand, and I helped him on the farm. I grew up in Bement, Illinois, a town of 1,500 people, with a graduating class of 44.” They are a close-knit group and still get together at homecoming.
“I played all sports in high school and went to Millikin University in Illinois to play football. That helped pay my tuition and it got me into my teaching profession. I was going to be a big businessman when I went, and when I started taking business courses my freshman year, I hated it.” His coach asked him if he wanted to make some extra money and helped him find a job coaching disadvantaged kids at a local elementary school. “I loved working with kids. That is what got me into the teaching profession for 37 years.”
“After I graduated, I got my first job in Harvey, Illinois. It was a middle school in a disadvantaged area. That is where I met Dee.” After teaching there for 2 years, Dee came as a new teacher. Rich told his buddy, “That girl is really cute.” They married one year later and ‘have been married for 56 years.
Rich and Dee stayed there for a couple of years, both teaching. But they really liked Wisconsin, so he applied for a job in Madison. When he saw Stoughton was listed as an opening, he stopped in on the way home. He applied to coach and teach math. He got a call four days later that he had the job. He taught in Stoughton for 31 years. The most important thing to him about his teaching was the feeling he could make a difference in his students’ lives.
“In coaching I had a very wonderful experience too. I coached boys in basketball for years and coached my son. Then in 1990, I took over the girls’ head basketball job and coached my daughters. In 1998, we had a great girls’ basketball team and were the first Stoughton team to go to the state tournament at the Kohl’s Center.”
“I got rheumatoid arthritis in 2000 and had to quit coaching in 2001 because I couldn’t do it anymore. Then I retired from teaching in 2003. It was typical to think “this is the greatest thing” but all of a sudden, you’re staring at four walls.” Rich decided to volunteer for Meals on Wheels at the Senior Center and ended up driving the local taxi. I lost my leg in 2017 and had to give up the taxi job. I then volunteered to do RSVP, a job in which you drive people to doctor appointments through the Senior Center. “I still do RSVP and love that job. I’ve met many interesting people.”
“We have three children, Bryan and Shelley who live in Stoughton and Elisabeth who lives in Bend, Oregon. Bryan has two children, Mylah and Owen. Elisabeth has five kids: Max, Evan, and identical triplet girls Danika, Taylor, and Maya. Shelley is a single mom and has a daughter, Jayla. We enjoy our grandchildren so much.”
What brought you to Unity?
“Nancy Keeney brought us to Unity. She was a teacher in Stoughton and her husband worked with me. She talked to Dee about Unity and its principles.” Rich thinks it was in the 90’s when Dee started and told him he would like it. “I loved it as well and we’ve been going ever since.”
“When I was a kid, we went to the Baptist church. I got turned off with them because I loved to play cards. They told me if you play cards, you are a sinner and will go to hell. Unity was just what we needed.”
What are your favorite activities at Unity?
When Don and Elaine McCauley were head of the Usher Team, they invited Rich and Dee to join. They’ve been on the team ever since and became team leaders after 2000. “I like greeting people. When you see people you’ve known for a long time, it’s so cool . ” Rich says he likes meeting new people, too.
“The best part is the people who come here. I’m not a big class and discussion group goer. It’s the people connection I find most favorable. “
“I love the kids. Kate does such a marvelous job. It is always so good to hear and see their many projects.”
Rich also likes the music. “Pete does such a marvelous job with getting all the talented people in our congregation to perform.”
Is there anything you’d like to see Unity do that would make your experience even better?
“I am happy with things the way they are. “