JOHN ROBERT “BOB” HALLADAY
John Robert “Bob” Halladay passed away on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 as a result of complications from a stroke he suffered in August, 2011 and Parkinson’s disease. He was 91. Born in Chicago, IL on November 9, 1920, he was the son of the late Charles Clayton and Margaret Ann (Kelly) Halladay. He lived in Chillicothe, IL until 1932, when he moved with his family to Topeka, KS. In 1938, he graduated from Topeka High School and then entered Washburn University, majoring in journalism. While a student at Washburn, he held a full-time position as a reporter and editor of The Topeka Daily Capital. In 1940, he moved to Washington, D.C. to serve on the legislative staff of Senator Arthur Capper (R-KS), the owner and publisher of The Topeka Daily Capital. He returned to Topeka in 1941 and resumed his studies at Washburn University. In 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving for three years. Following his honorable discharge as a 1st Lieutenant, he returned to Topeka and became the City Editor of the Daily Capital. He later became Publicity Director of the Kansas Industrial Development Commission and also served for five years as the Public Relations Director of the Kansas State Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Halladay’s long and distinguished career in the trucking industry began in 1952 with his appointment as the Managing Director of the Kansas Motor Carriers Association. During his tenure, the Kansas organization became one of the largest and most active within the national organization, The American Trucking Associations (“ATA”). Mr. Halladay was instrumental in developing legislation in the 1950’s and 1960’s that enabled the trucking industry to assume a vital role in post-war America. In 1965, Mr. Halladay accepted the position of Director of Interstate Cooperation with ATA. He remained with ATA for the rest of his professional career, holding a variety of positions and retiring in 1990 as Senior Vice President of Federation Relations and President of the industry publication, Transport Topics. Thereafter, he served on a part-time basis as Counselor to the President of ATA and, in 1994, authored the book, “Partners in Progress: The Story of the American Trucking Associations.” Throughout his career, Mr. Halladay was known and admired for his loyalty and integrity. He mentored many younger associates as they became a part of ATA and the trucking industry. To honor his legacy, ATA established the “J.R. ‘Bob’ Halladay Award,” bestowed annually upon a person selected by ATA’s Executive Council. Mr. Halladay was presented the S. Earl Dove Highway Award in 2008 in recognition of his life-time of dedicated service to the trucking industry. Prior to his 2009 move to Grand Oaks Assisted Living Facility in Washington, D.C, Mr. Halladay lived in Silver Spring, MD. A lifelong Catholic, he was an active member of St. Andrew Apostle Catholic Church, where he served for thirty years as an usher and a term as President of the Parish Council. Mr. Halladay was a devoted husband and family man who was blessed with a fine Irish wit. He treasured annual vacations with his family, traveling for many years to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, and later to Acadia National Park in Maine and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. In addition, he was a life-long sports fan. As a young boy, he obtained autographs of all members of the 1933 Chicago Cubs baseball team and he once served as a caddie for the great athlete, Babe Didrikson. Mr. Halladay is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Barbara Ann (Lee) Halladay; sons, Jay Halladay of Hagerstown, MD and Patrick Halladay and his wife, Joan, of New Market, MD; daughters Nancy A. Halladay of Olney, MD, and Roberta L. Halladay of Chevy Chase, MD; grandchildren, Joseph Halladay of Brooklyn, NY; Kari Primozic and her husband, Keith, of Gaithersburg, MD; Michael Nowak of Gilbert, AZ; and, Jennifer Sciadini and her husband, Marcus, of Higland, MD; four great-grandchildren; his sister in-law, Teresa Halladay of Lakewood, CO; nephews, Michael and Timothy Halladay; his cousins, Patricia and Colleen Kelly of Southbury, Connecticut; and, a host of other relatives and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Daniel Joseph Halladay. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard, West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Sunday, September 30, 2 to 4 to p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 1 at St. Andrew Apostle Catholic Church, 11604 Kemp Mill Road, Silver Spring, MD at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to So Others May Eat, 71 “0” Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20001 or The Little Sisters of the Poor, 4200 Harewood Rd, N.E., Washington, DC 20017.
Please Click Here to View and Sign Online Guestbook
