Family Background
Robert Frederic Halladay's parents were Frederic Halladay and Laura Burlola Halladay (nee Bye). They married in 1902 when Frederic was 23 and Laura was 18. Their first child, George, was born around 1909. Their second child, Virginia, was born in 1911. Their third child, Robert Frederic Halladay, was born September 2, 1915 in Brainerd, Minnesota.

Robert's father, Frederic Hallaway (1879 - 1950), was born in Great Bardow, Essex, England and worked as a machinist for the railroad. His mother, Laura Burlola Bye (1884 - 1968), was born in Brainerd, Minnesota. Her parents were from Norway.

Birth
Robert Frederic Halladay was born on September 2, 1915 in Brainerd, Minnesota the second son and third child of Frederic Halladay and Laura Burlola Halladay (nee Bye).

Marriage and Family
Robert married Margaret Lydia Rinker on March 5, 1942 in Duval County, Florida.

College Education
Robert graduated from the University of Montana Law School in 1950 in Billings, Montana with a class of 14 graduates.

Military Service in the U.S. Marines
Robert enlisted as a Private First Class in the United States Marine Corps on September 16, 1940 when he entered the Aviation Cadet program. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant R. F. Halladay, USMCR, designated Naval Aviator #8851 in 1941. Robert served during World War II as a fighter pilot on an Aircraft Carrier in far away places, including Paekakaruki, New Zealand of which he sometimes spoke, showing pride in his role defending the United States. He flew fighter planes to defend the United States from hostile invaders. Late in the war he was assigned to VMSB-245, and early in the war another VMSB (a Scout Bombing squadron). He would have flown the Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber. Some of this information is courtesy of Mike Weeks and ""United States Navy Wings Of Gold, From 1917 To The Present", published by Schiffer Military". (Thanks for Mr. Weeks in helping provide additional information on Bob Halladay's military service.)

Family
In 1942, Robert and Margaret's son was born. Their son later became a successful businessman.

Lawyer
Robert retired from the US Marines as a Major, attended law school, and worked as an attorney.

Rural Alaska School Teachers
Around 1964, Bob and Margaret moved to Bush Alaska where they taught at Cold Bay Elementary School on the Alaska Peninsula until around 1970. Then then moved to Nondalton, Alaska and taught at Nondalton School near Lake Illiamna. Around 1972, they returned to Cold Bay and taught until around 1977.

Bob enjoyed hunting caribou, goose hunting at Izembek Lagoon, playing chess, and reading books to his students such as "The Great Escape" by Paul Brickhell about allied pilots escaping from a Nazi prisoner of war camp called Stalag Luft III in Zagan, Poland by digging a tunnel.

Margaret taught first through 4th grade, and Bob taught 5th through 8th grade. They emphasized the Five R's (reading, writing, arithmetic, right, and wrong). They were loved by their students, many who went on to have successful academic careers. In the 1970s, Bob and Margaret retired from their Alaska school teaching career, moving to Florida.

Passing
Robert Frederic Halladay passed away March 13, 1981 proceeded by his father Frederic (1930)and his mother Laura (1968). He was buried at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida in a military ceremony worthy of a United States Marine Major. Bob is buried next to his wife Margaret.