Erwin Hall, a longtime resident of Steptoe, passed away Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, in Spokane. He was 79 years old. Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at Onecho Bible Church, with a reception to follow. Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at Bruning Funeral Home.
Robert Erwin Hall was born Aug. 4, 1935, in Colfax, the youngest of five children to Frank and Cleo (Huffman) Hall. He grew up on the farm outside of Steptoe and could often be seen running the two miles into town or riding his favorite horse. Erwin also liked to ski down Steptoe Butte in the winter as a kid. He was active in sports, especially football, basketball and baseball, a love he carried forward for most of his lifetime. He graduated from Steptoe High School in 1953 and went on to attend Washington State University for a little more than a year. He married Joan Mohr in 1956.
Erwin farmed around the Northwest for various people and worked briefly in Spokane before returning to Steptoe. In 1974, he married Sally Furry. Erwin worked for more than 25 years at the Dusty Farm Co-op while also working with Mark Vogler on his farm near Dusty. He married Linda Sorensen Rueb in Moscow in 1987. They made Steptoe their home, where she continues to live. Erwin was a longstanding member of the Steptoe Community Church.
He loved to hunt and fish, and he enjoyed spending time in his garden. Erwin led a life full of adventure. He loved fast cars and had even raced at the Spokane Speedway. He played basketball well into his 50s and spent lots of time on the golf course. He also liked to bowl. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and following them in as many activities as he could. He never truly retired, although a heart transplant in 2001 slowed him down a little bit. Erwin was the recipient of another transplant, a kidney, this past August. He and the family never lost focus on the generosity of these gifts. He became closely acquainted with his heart donor family. Erwin's family would like to especially thank the community for their abundance of love and support to them these past few months.
Erwin will be missed by his wife, Linda; his children, David Hall of Redding, Calif., Dean Hall of Colfax, Dan Hall of Steptoe, Dennis Hall of Colfax, Joy Hall of Colfax, Julie Wohrle of Eagle River, Alaska, Lisa Largent of Onecho, Cathy Yates of Spokane, Tricia Hereford of Rosalia, Mike Rusch of Colfax, Rebecca Upton of Seattle, Kerry Lutz of Eugene, Ore., and Jennifer Rueb of Phoenix; numerous grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his brother, Cedric Hall of Steptoe; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Robert Hall, on April 28, 2013; and by sisters Marjorie Boecher and Melba Shahan; and his brother, Dale Hall.
The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Little Guys Wrestling Program in care of Clayton or Shari Lord, or to the Spokane Hospice House. The online guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com.
