Thomas F. Hall, Iii

Thomas F. Hall III, 96, died on January 11, 2023, at the home he shared with his wife, Nora Lohmann, in Schenectady. Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on February 27,1926, he was a man of many talents and interests: a man who could tell an extended joke (even employing the appropriate accent) without missing a beat, who jammed with jazz legends in the Berkshires, who could discuss nuclear science, fine embroidery, cars, and furniture design with equal facility, and who carried a variety of canes but made them appear more accessory than necessity,

A gifted and dedicated educator, Thomas began his career teaching chemistry and physics at West Canada Valley High School and at Fort Plain High School in New York. He spent the remainder of his teaching career in the Schenectady City School District where he taught science and served as department chair and occasional administrator at Steinmetz Junior High and the eventual Steinmetz Middle School, Mont Pleasant Middle School, and at the alternative education center at Steinmetz. Wherever he worked as an educator, Thomas's focus was always on what was best for the students
he served. His curiosity and passion for learning made him successful teaching the most gifted students as well as those for whom science was simply a mandated course. He is fondly remembered by many, and many have remained in touch with him for years.

For a period of time, Thomas left teaching to work at the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company, in Mechanicville, New York, specializing in paper quality control. He found this work both satisfying and interesting; although he shared many stories about his long career in education, some of the most entertaining were about his experiences traveling around the country for his work at the paper mill–about problems he was able to solve, people he met, meals he ate, and cities and towns he visited. Similarly, his time working at furniture stores, especially at DiSiena, provided him with even more
material for stories about problems solved and interesting people met.

Among his many other activities, Thomas served as the director of the Jonesville Cemetery, supervised student teachers through the University at Albany, and was active in Civil Defense and the induction of Eagle Scouts through Boy Scout Troop 48.

Travel allowed him to indulge his curiosity and genuine passion for learning. Whether to Scotland, the Bay of Fundy, Colorado or California, Venice, Italy or even to Manchester, Vermont, he loved learning as much as possible about the place and the people who inhabited it. He could (and did!) talk to anyone; a quick encounter in a shop often turned into an extended conversation as if between old friends. Thomas was a man whose social calendar was always full and who always had a pending breakfast or lunch date to look forward to.

Thomas was predeceased by his son, Marshal, and is survived by his wife, Nora Lohmann, and many members of his immediate and extended family.

Friends may call on January 26, from 4-7pm at the New Comer Funeral Home at 343 New Karner Road in Colonie.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Schenectady City Mission or to the Reading is Fun Program in Schenectady at readingisfun.org.