Robert Hall

Robert Allen "Bob" Hall, Sr., of North Little Rock passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2017 in Dauphine Island, Alabama.

Mr. Hall was born in February 1939 to Richard "Dick" and Ann Etheridge Hall Veazey of Hamburg, Arkansas. He was a graduate of Hamburg High School and graduated from Arkansas A&M (University of Arkansas at Monticello) with a B.S. in Business.

Bob Hall served seven (7) years in The Army National Guard, earning the rank of Company Sergeant. His unit was put on alert for the Bay of Pigs operation, but stood down the day before they were to be deployed, due to the historic failure of the proposed mission.
What followed was a legendary career as a respected and prominent businessman. In the mid-1960's Bob and his cousin bought his Grandfather's water well drilling business in Hamburg, Arkansas. Bob eventually sold his half to his cousin, and in 1969 purchased The G. L. Turner Company of North Little Rock with the assistance of his father Dick Hall. Within a few years he bought Dick's shares, and became sole owner of the business.

Bob transformed the G. L. Turner Company into a true success story. He took this small North Little Rock manufacturing shop and built Bush-Whacker, a leading brand that competes today throughout the US with the likes of John Deere. With Bob's persistence and ingenuity, Bush-Whacker Rotary Cutters have become the choice rotary cutter for the Department of Transportation in over 30 states.

While retired, Bob remained active in the company businesses that are run today by son Robert Hall Jr. But when Bob was present at either of The Hall Group's two North Little Rock manufacturing plants, it became quickly apparent the love and respect he had earned from his team over the years. He was a wonderful leader who built a successful business focused heavily upon family values. There is no greater tribute than to have his company recognized as a finalist two years in a row for the Arkansas Business of the Year.

Bob was a supporter of The Helping Hand and was on their board for a time in the 1980's. He supported Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He and wife Ann (who passed away in 2002) formed a great relationship with a priest from India in the 1980s while he was visiting and assigned to IC. That led to Mr. and Mrs. Hall building a church in India. Mr. Hall also supported Saint Edward Catholic Church numerous charities.

Bob had two passions in life. The first was that he loved to fish, and the other was picking up his grandkids from school. When it was time to leave the office to get in the carpool line, you had better be out of his way because he was on a mission to get there and be at the front of the line. He relished every moment he spent with them.

Mr. Hall was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Ann Hall. Survived by his widow Susanne Hall, son Robert Hall Jr. (Angela), stepson Stephen G. Smith II (Christa White), brothers Whit Hall, Stanton Veazey, Howard Veazey, and grandchildren Alexandria Hall, Brooke Hall and Jackson Hall, along with a host of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Hall will be remembered as being a man who was loved and respected by so many people. He was a man of faith and outstanding moral quality, which allowed him to be an amazing father. As an accomplished ballroom dancer and Razorback Fan, he lived life to the fullest, and will be missed by so many.

Donations on Mr. Hall's behalf may be made to The Helping Hand, Jericho Way, or Our
House.

Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 1:00 p.m., at Christ the King Catholic Church. A rosary service will be at 5:30 p.m., Friday, April 21st followed by a visitation from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., at Smith - North Little Rock Funeral Home. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.