Richard Alan Hale, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026, following a short illness. He was the cherished son of Edwin and Loretta Hale (née Maloney), devoted husband and best friend of Karen Moss Hale, and proud father of Steve Rogovin and Alex Hale. Richard and Karen would have celebrated 42 years of marriage on February 3, 2026.

Richard was preceded in death by his loving parents, his brothers Bob and David Hale (Anna Koteles Hale), his in-laws Harmon and Dorothy Moss, and most recently his brother-in-law Joel Moss (TL Pellegri).

Raised in the Lyndhurst and Orange school communities, Richard graduated from Orange High School in 1968. He went on to attend the University of Akron—twice—ultimately earning his Master’s in Higher Education in 2012, a milestone he pursued with determination and pride.

Richard began his professional life in the photo industry, where his love of imagery and creativity first took shape. His career later evolved into the field of information technology, where he served as an instructor, program developer, and support technician. His patience, curiosity, and willingness to help others defined his work and the many relationships he built along the way.

A man of gentle humor and simple joys, Richard loved music and comedy, and on any given day you could find him enjoying classic programs on MeTV. He had a gift for loyalty—if you were his friend, you remained his friend. He never detached, never drifted, and never stopped caring.

True to his spirit, Richard left one final request, a line that captures his wit and warmth:
“A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants.”

He will be remembered for his kindness, his steadfast love for his family, his quirky humor, and the quiet, enduring way he showed up for the people he loved.

May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.