Dundee and Ewing Young communities mourn the unexpected death of 15-year district veteran Kevin Hall

Dundee and Ewing Young elementary schools are reeling following the unexpected death of longtime counselor Kevin Hall Sunday morning.

A child development specialist, Hall worked in the district for 15 years, splitting his time between the district’s two outlying elementary schools for the past several years.

“Kevin loved people and always put others before himself,” Dundee principal Reed Langdon said. “He was like an ocean harbor. When you were being tossed around by the waves of life, his office was a safe place in the storm.”

Hall regularly offered seminars for parents on topics such as bullying, grief and loss and kids and technology. He also led a team of district counselors trained to respond in times of tragedy.

Counselors and teachers were on hand Tuesday at both schools, where students and families were invited to grieve and make cards for the Hall Family.

Colleagues describe Hall’s compassion and caring, sense of humor and ability to listen as qualities that contributed to his effectiveness with students, parents and staff alike.

Students recalled Hall’s lessons on how to be better problem solvers and about standing up for what’s right. Hall also introduced many students to what he called “Mary Poppins behavior.”

“He was always willing to go out of his way to support any student,” Ewing Young principal Kevin Milner said.

Hall is survived by his wife, Kathy, and son Kyle. The family and school district have not released the cause of death.

Condolences may be sent to the family in care of the school district office at 714 E. Sixth, Newberg 97132.

The district has made resources for dealing with grief and loss available on its website, www.newberg.k12.or.us.

“In tragic times like these, it’s our community that makes us strong,” Langdon said in a voice message distributed to the elementary school community.

Funeral services for Hall will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Southwest Church of Christ in Tigard.

Written by: Seth Gordon