Mr. Robert Franklin Hall's Obituary
To watch the service live click here: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/embed_viewer/32427
Robert F. Hall, 83, died 6/27/2020. A resident of Brentwood & a retired Delta Airline pilot, he was one of the original wave of investors--- rehabbing properties on Music Row, Lockeland Springs & Historic Edgefield as well as promoting the revitalization of 5 Points in East Nashville in the late l970’s –1980’s.
Born July 18, 1936 in Nashville to parents Kathryn Capley & Greye Hall. He “absolutely loved” East Nashville & East High School—Class of ’54. Coincidentally, Bob Hall met his wife, Janell Glasgow-Hall at The 1982 Lockeland Springs Christmas Tour of Homes and they both annually attended subsequent tours until his ill health 3 years ago. In l986, they won a Metro Historic Architectural Award for the restoration of 514 Russell St.
Modestly, he introduced himself to Janell as a “heavy equipment machine operator” in 1983. A Navy veteran, he attended David Lipscomb University. He was a Delta Airlines pilot & captain for 32 years, who frequently reminisced about “chasing the sunset from ATL to LAX.” Now, the whole sky is his to enjoy.
Bob was born poor; he recalled his bed as a youth was a mattress atop orange crates. He cut cardboard out to insulate his worn out shoes. He & his family & siblings lived all over East Nashville as renters. The Treetops Restaurant on Clearview was one home. Another home is now The Red Door Saloon on Forrest Ave. His great joy was matinees at The Woodland Theater. He and his friends would rummage for Coke bottles behind The Fulton 5 & 10 Cent Store on Woodland. He also recalled that Mr. Fluty who owned the service station across the street from his home on Clearview---left the kerosene switch on so they and other families could have heat during the Blizzard of 1951.
Bob learned to drive @ 14 years old. East High School and The East Library were his refuge. He worked at the East Library for 12 ½ cents an hour and he had a perfect attendance record at East Junior & East High Schools. At 16 years of age, he was the youngest ambulance driver in Nashville for Martin, Bracey Welch Funeral Home. He could regale you with stories for hours. He was a masterful storyteller.
Bob was also blessed with wonderful, lifelong friends from East High: Billy Knight, Buddy Parkinson & Paul High. Together, they were the 4 amigos from 14 years of age to 83. Almost every Friday or Sat night they ---the 4 and their wives---met for dinner & “Coke & Pie,” played cards or just simply enjoyed each others’ company.
In July 1954, when he was 18---Bob joined The US Navy for 4 years. He & his first wife, Bess, had daughter Cindy in Mobile, Alabama. He was stationed at Barin Field near Foley, Al. He also served a year on the USS Wasp. Prior to joining Delta in 1966, he flew commercial charters, sold insurance & was a dispatcher for The Nashville Fire Department.
He also adored his daughters---Cindy, Katie and Laura.
Hot tempered & tough, he may not of spoken of his love. But his eyes lit up when you mentioned their names.
A “jack of all trades” with an insatiable desire for learning & adventure—Bob could build or rehab a house, wire a room, entertain a toddler (he was a child himself at heart! ) or bake terrific oatmeal cookies. FYI: You need to ask Cindy how he built a running track for himself on Haven Hill. She was always the free, unpaid labor!
He also loved music: playing the piano, writing music, listening to ragtime, marches, polkas and classical music.
Bob was a member of Brentwood United Methodist Church; taught pre-teen Sunday School and always carried a Bible in his Delta Airlines flight kit.
Survivors include: Janell Glasgow-Hall, wife; daughters: Cindy (Rod) Reynolds of Winter Garden, Fl. ; Kathryn Hall and Laura Hall, Nashville, Tn ; Fred Hall, brother, Nashville,Tn. ; sister Pat Williams, Ruther Glen, VA ; 4 grandchildren: Garrett Reynolds, Sioux Falls, SD; Dr. Avery (Whitney) Reynolds, Nashville; Dr. Everett (Jennifer) Reynolds, Oxford, MS; Erin (Steve) Ross, Nashville; 4 great grandchildren: Emerson & Asher Reynolds; Mattis & Grayson Ross, Nashville; 2 nieces: Kathy Wilkins, Glen Allen, Va.; Charlotte (Jim) Roberts, Springfield, Va. & a nephew, Tom (Beth) Lucy, Lanexa Va. Predeceased by brother Danny Hall.
Visitation will be 10 a.m.-Noon Friday, July 3 with funeral service at Noon @ Spring Hill Funeral Home on Gallatin Rd. in Nashville. Masks mandatory. The service will also be live streamed.
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