Merle L. Hale

HALE, HACKETT, LEONARD

Posted By: Harvey W. Henry (email)
Date: 5/23/2007 at 08:58:18

Iowa City Press-Citizen
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Merle Hale, 93

Merle Hale was born December 5, 1913 in Taylor County, Iowa, the oldest of three boys. He graduated from the University of Iowa, earning multiple degrees. His attachment to U of I was life long, as he was Professor and Chairman of the Department of Oral Surgery, College of Dentistry and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from 1952--1979. The Merle L. Hale Clinic, dedicated in 1981, recognizes his contributions to the University.

His years of dedication to his profession were evident not only in Iowa, but nationally. Among his honors and credentials, Merle was a Diplomate, American Board of Oral & Maxiofacial Surgeons, a distinguished member of the The Crow Board, and a National Consultant to the Surgeon General of the United States Air Force. He took great pleasure in volunteering, including his service as a Consultant aboard the Hope Ship, in Peru, South America.

Merle was a talented and competitive athlete. He was a member of the Clarinda A's Hall of Fame.

His fondest baseball recollection was during a July 4th game against the Kansas City Monarchs, when he hit a clean single off of Sachel Page! It was his Pole Vaulting talent that afforded him an education at U of I. He was an avid and competitive golfer, continuing to win tournaments well into his eighties! Later he would donate all of his trophies to a local Boys Club, to be used as awards for their participants.

Most importantly, Merle was a devoted Christian and family man. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Mary Louise Hackett Hale. He was the proud father of Edwin Hale, Marsha Hale Leonard, and Linda Hale. He had seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Merle was a gentle, witty, compassionate man, who touched the lives of so many.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, May 26, at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Indianapolis, IN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, Merle Hale fund, c/o Bill Windauer, or to the charity of your choice.