Roger Hale, 93
Roger Hale, 93, passed away at 2:25 a.m., Oct. 17, 2007, at the Heritage Place in Kalispell.
Roger was born to Titus and Mary Hale in their homestead cabin located at Twentyfive Mile Creek in Washington, Dec. 28, 1913.
He married Elizabeth Crockett in 1936. They had three children. In November 1945 a tragic bus accident claimed the lives of his two eldest sons. Distraught and emotionally destroyed, his life took a new direction.
He married Sue Woodruff of Granite Falls, Wash., and proceeded to Montana. Moving to Great Falls, he and his wife purchased a grain elevator. Tearing down the elevator and recycling much of the material, they built a modern three-bedroom home with an attached two-car garage. This property was sold and the proceeds were used to help purchase the Middlefork Motel.
Roger Hale arrived in the Flathead Valley in February 1962. He and his wife, Sue, had purchased the Middlefork Motel and began an extensive transformation of the business. Many of their guests returned summer after summer to enjoy the flower gardens and water fountains they built. Many other visitors on their way to Glacier Park pulled over to get photographs of the beautiful landscaping.
It was in Martin City that Roger and Sue raised six children. Roger had a very extended family that not only included his immediate family but many members of the community. His door was open to many. He often allowed tenants to "hole up for the winter" at the motel even though they couldn't pay.
Roger worked as a foreman on the Libby dam, the railroad tunnel near Trego and the aluminum plant in Columbia Falls. After many years of working for others he invested in a backhoe and other construction equipment to start his own business, Hungry Horse Excavating and Construction. He went on to develop new water systems for the towns of Coram and Hungry Horse. He also constructed foundations and sanitary systems for many of the new homes in the rapidly expanding area. Roger's easygoing yet hardworking nature landed him jobs from Polebridge to Libby. He often commented, "My best work is always buried."
In 1975, Roger sold the Middlefork Motel and developed a property near Whitefish, still continuing in his excavating business.
Yearning to develop another water system he sold his property, packed up and moved back to his ranch located at Twentyfive Mile Creek near Chelan, Wash. There he designed and built a water system for the small roadside community. The area now produces some of the finest apples from the state of Washington, due to the water system. Other endeavors in Washington were building a magnificent home and developing his own orchard. Roger took pride in his vegetable garden, fruit and walnut trees, but he especially enjoyed the roses he grew.
Roger loved to sing; the family was often awakened by his early morning renditions. He also enjoyed singing at church, playing a hot game of pinochle, fishing and hunting. Roger hunted elk, "bagging" one every year to include a royal bull in 1970.
He was preceded in death by both his parents; his brothers, Mirum Hale, Murdock Hale, and David Hale; his sister, Dorthy Milton; his sons, Douglas and Lenly Stuart; and his first wife, Elizabeth; stepson, Michael G. Pointec; and daughter in-law, Jennifer Zunick.
Roger is survived by his sons, Roger K. Hale and wife, Nadine, of Kalispell, and Neil A. Hale and wife, Eliecia, of Naselle, Wash.; his daughters, Kathie S. Salandi and husband, Micheal, of Hungry Horse, and Marci Hale, Chelan; stepson, Daniel Pointec of Kalispell; stepdaughter, Sandra L. Pointec of Columbia Falls; "adopted" son, Robert A. Zunick and wife, Pamela, of Kalispell; Sue Libby and husband, Roger, of Hungry Horse; four grandsons; six granddaughters; numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; sister, Caroline Yearout, of Wenatchee, Wash.; and many friends.
Roger was loved and will be missed by many.
Memorial services will be at noon Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Hungry Horse Chapel, 8664 U.S. 2 East in Hungry Horse. Brent Schmidt will officiate the service. Lunch will be provided after the service at the church.
The family suggests memorials to Hungry Horse Chapel.
The family extends their thanks to Heritage Place for the skilled care they provided to Roger when it became too difficult for the family.