Charles David Hall graduated in June 1967 and was a member of the Track Team (1963-65) and the Football team (1965-66). He was also a member of the Key Club (1964-67), was a Sixes’ Representative and a member of Win-Arama.

After graduating, Mr. Hall attended Florissant Valley Community College and later attended the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou) from 1969-70. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1970-74, mainly in Germany and England as a Bombmaker. After being discharged, he returned to Mizzou, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Education in 1976, teaching in Centralia, MO for two years. Mr. Hall moved to Union, MO in 1978, beginning a 37-year career as an Insurance Agent with State Farm. He retired in 2015.

During this later period, Mr. Hall was a member of many civic organizations based in Union and Franklin County. The Rotary Club was among them. In 2007 another member, Jim Tayon, had read about Honor Flights and proposed the Rotary Club start a chapter. Mr. Hall then volunteered to lead the effort, along with Mr. Tayon and Circuit Court Judge Larry Davis. They met in his office and after much work created the Franklin County Honor Flight (FCHF) organization. The Franklin County Honor Flight organization was the first chapter (called hubs) west of the Mississippi River. “The mission of Honor Flight is to celebrate America’s veterans by inviting them to share a day at our nation’s memorials.” This is accomplished by flying veterans to Washington D.C. so they may visit the memorials of their respective period of service, such as the World War II, Korean War and Viet Nam Memorials. This is free of charge to the veterans. Volunteer “Guardians” join in the flights to assist veterans with any needs they may have and currently (2022) pay $500 for the opportunity. The first hub was formed in Dayton, Ohio, in 2005. There are currently 148 Honor Flight hubs in 45 states and D.C. Combined, they have flown almost 245,000 veterans to D.C.

Mr. Hall, Mr. Tayon and Judge Davis, using their own funds, took their first seven veterans to D.C. on November 3, 2007. Since then, FCHF has taken 2,000 vets on sixty flights to D.C. Mr. Hall has been on 58 of them, missing two because of illness. Three flights are scheduled for 2023. From its inception until his retirement, FCHF used Mr. Hall’s office as the base of operation at some personal expense.

In 2017, Mr. Hall organized an Honor Flight specifically for thirteen of his fellow Roosevelt High classmates. His favorite trip.

Besides serving on the Board of Directors of FCHF, often as President, Mr. Hall has also served on several other organizations based in Franklin County. He was a Trustee and President of his subdivision homeowner’s association, the founding member of the Franklin County Mizzou Alumni Association and board member of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Hall was appointed to the Franklin County Board of Adjustment. He was President of these four organizations, sometimes simultaneously. He helped found the Franklin County Kiwanis Club and as mentioned, was a Franklin County Rotarian. He helped found Boy Scout Troop 442. Mr. Hall also found time to coach local youth softball and football teams.  In 2019, the Union Chamber of Commerce awarded Mr. Hall the “Long-Haul Award” for his many years of service to the community.

Dave and his wife Linda have been married 46 years. They have two adult children and four grandchildren.

As can be seen by Mr. Hall’s life of helping others, he exemplifies the true Rough Rider spirit and is a credit to the Roosevelt High School community.