Remembering David Hall
Friday, September 11, 2009 at 11:35AM It is with great sadness that we share with you news of the sudden passing of David Hall. A Chicago icon, and friend and mentor to many in the real estate community, David had been with Coldwell Banker’s Lincoln Park office since 1986. David also served as past president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®
from 1999 – 2000.
Colleague Fran Broude summed up the feelings of many best, “I don’t know where to begin to express what David meant to me personally, to this company (Coldwell Banker) and to all of (us). He was the epitome of professionalism in his career, an inspiration to all of us and a friend unlike any other. We will all miss him terribly.”
The Chicago Association of REALTORS® extends sincerest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues who will truly miss David’s presence.
We encourage you to share your thoughts and memories of David Hall with us and your fellow REALTORS® by posting a comment below. Thank you.
The service for David Hall will be as follows:
Monday, September 21st
Fourth Presbyterian Church
126 East Chestnut Street
Chicago, IL 60611
1:00 PM
Reader Comments (49)
I have never met David in person but it seems like I knew him very well through my many friends who had the wonderful opportunity to work with him...He was one of the very special people who are great leaders, mentors and friends...It's a huge loss to all of us...
David Hall meant a great deal to me as a mentor and a friend. I took him out for his birthday this past spring at Mona Mi Gabi and never in a million years would I have thought that would be the last time I would see him. At that time, he was on his way to the Galapagos Islands and he promised to call me when he returned so we could get together and chat about it. That never happened.
The last few days he has been on my mind and I kept telling myself to shoot him an email or to pick up the phone and call him. I didn't.
One moment in time and a life changes forever...
Somehow we dream that wonderful people will be with us forever.
It is a day of loss for all who knew him.
I only spoke to David Hall once and he was very helpful in resolving a business matter. I had never met David Hall in person, but I heard so much about him that I felt like I had met him. Everything I ever heard about him was always positive.
Over the years, scores of agents and brokers I spoke to that knew him always referred to his great personality and great leadership skills. To hear his name was to hear, “I love David. He's great." Everyone always had a good word about David Hall, which says a lot about his character.
My condolences to his family, loved ones, and all those at Coldwell Banker and elsewhere that knew and loved him. May God comfort them in their time of need.
Respectfully,
Alexis Eldorrado,
Eldorrado Chicago Real Estate
I do not know David personally but from reading the articles and the e-mails, I am sure he was a great Realtor and a nice person.
Although I knew him by reputation for many years, I only met David in the past few months, when he came to speak to our office as a guest 'manager for a day'. I expected someone old - in appearance and approach - and was completely surprised to find someone quite the opposite - vital, vigorous and full of new ideas and intelligence. I can't say how many times I've quoted what he said in that meeting, because it was so simple, but so smart. Truly, his passing is a loss for all of us and mostly for his family. My heart goes out to all of them.
I've been with David Hall's Coldwell Banker office for 13 years. Having sold residential real estate in Chicago for almost 20 years, I've had the opportunity to work under quite a few managing brokers. None effected my life and career as much as David. He was a mentor and friend. He was always available to his agents to discuss anything from trends in the market to the newest sushi restaurant . His knowledge and expertise was invaluable. A truly iconic figure in the real estate community. His passion for the industry was contagious. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilage of knowing him..
I extend my deepest and most sincere condolences to David's family and the Coldwell Banker family. He was always helpful when I was with Coldwell Banker not mattering that I was not in his office. That was just the kind of person he was. Generous. To all of us who knew him he will be truly missed but to those who didn't it will be an even greater loss. Another true icon in our industry gone.
I met David Hall when I began working for Coldwell Banker as a manager in 1992. He was always willing to share his expertise with his co-managers. I can remember joking with him some 16 or so years ago “that I wanted to grow up to be just like him” as I thought he was terrific.
For ten of the past eleven years I had the privilege of working more closely with David while managing in the city. He was one of the kindest, most knowledgeable persons and without exception the best manager I have ever known. I can honestly say that David was one of just two real estate professionals that I held in the highest regard and that most influenced my management career.
Last fall with the down turn in the real estate market a corporate decision was made to close the city office I managed. I was devastated but I encouraged many of my sales associates to go to David’s office as I knew he would care for them and many did. Afterwards, even when I was no longer managing David kept in touch. He would call to see how I was doing and cheer me up. On one call he tried to convince me to come downtown to work in his office though he knew I lived up North. He said it would be worth the ride, I would be great there and he could keep me busy. He knew how to make you feel special. What a star he was! I am sitting here crying as I write this…. David I will really miss you.
My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, staff and agents.
I worked for David for only 4 years but he remains one of the biggest influences in my life. Always positive, always a gentleman, he made me want to be better both as an agent as as a person. I mourn his passing but am so grateful that I knew him and his great office.
Rest in peace, David.
Today I celebrate the life of someone I considered a good friend. I got to know David Hall when he was President-Elect and then President of the Chicago Association of Realtors. I learned so much being around him. I increased my consensus building skills, I became better at stepping back and taking time to understand other points of view, I appreciated his ability to lead & yet be humble at the same time and I increased my ability to share my compassion for others. David was a man who really cared about his salespeople and support staff, his friends, the City of Chicago and the Chicago Association of Realtors. He was a passionate man about the arts, human rights and real estate. He had more true friends than anyone I have ever known.
The last time we were together was this spring when he was taking a short weekend in Vegas with 50 of his good friends celebrating someone's birthday. Bob and I joined him for a long breakfast of great conversation. We talked about the challenges in the real estate business with the present economy. We talked about his office and how much he cared about what was going on with his agents and how proud he was of the people he worked with. He was committed to helping everyone get through the worst real estate market he had ever encountered. He knew they would make it through and come out stronger agents as a result. We laughed, talked about the good times we had together when he was President and about all our hopes for the future. It was a great morning together,.
We shared a love of opera, travel, real estate, C.A.R. and unique experiences. He reached out to me over the years - many times at moments when I needed it the most. He always made me feel special and let me know he cared. David wrote his own speech when he was installed as President of C.A.R. It was a powerful reflection of who we were as Chicagoans and why what we did for a living was important. I have often used a phrase from that speech when describing why I love REALTORS and the real estate business. He said, "REALTORS traffic in dreams". David was a servant leader who inspired 100's of people over the years to deliver the American Dream and to be the best at what they did for a living. He also inspired us to be better people and to respect one another in everything we do. He was extremely successful in his career, but even more successful in his life. He believed in living every day to its fullest.
David was loved by many. David was loved by Bob and I. We will remember what a special man he was, his smile & laugh and how much being around him impacted our lives and that of organized real estate in Chicago. We will remember his passion and energy for what mattered to him. We will remember him for his friendship and support. We will not see his like again.
For over 25 years, my friend, my mentor, a soul mate, who leaves a part of himself with me I will miss you everyday. As you would say to each of us, life changes daily and we go on no matter what.
To David-We will miss you terribly! I don't know quite what to say after reading all the wonderful comments but we felt your presence today in the office especially as Karen P and I sat in your office amongst your traveling artifacts. You were a class act-
Please know how loved you were,
Maura
From the first address I was present for to the last deal he advised me on, listening to David always made sense, and I don’t think I ever disagreed with him. There was beauty in how he could condense even the most difficult negotiation down to its most basic, and simplest, components – always listening, and always helping you find a solution. Engaging with David was always a lesson – in life as well as business, and I, as well as many of my colleagues, rarely missed a chance to soak up that knowledge. To watch him speak – about anything, quite frankly – was to leave inspired, head held high, knowing anything was possible.
He was fond of telling us during the last year’s tumultuous market that Coldwell Banker – and he - wasn’t going anywhere. The latter may not be physically true anymore, but he hasn’t really left. He’s imparted his many pearls of wisdom and passion to keep moving forward, to grab life by the horns and hold on for the ride, and to touch people’s lives just by being who we are.
As DH would say, always remember it’s not about the deal, it’s about how we feel about the deal. My break out year is for you, my friend, as I know you’ll continue to inspire me each day.
David was the true definition of a managing broker. He was a mentor, a leader and a manager who responded consistantly with the same respect to the brand new agent as he did a top producer.
He was also a dear friend to all of his agents.
With he passing is the end of an era in Chicago brokerage.
I am so sad to hear about David. He was a true mentor to me when I worked for Coldwell Banker. He told me I had what it takes to make it and I always remember that. He always supported the agents and always had an open door policy. Even when I left to work on site at a development, he always welcomed me with open arms to give presentations.
I will miss him. He was a great man that has touched so many people.
Paulette Rodriguez
I will speak from my heart...there will never be another David...he personified everything a true leader should have, he never compromised his word for it was always about :integrity, intelligence, sincerity, honesty and compassion...
He use to share with everyone what a great networker I was, Oh, David it was you they will alway love and speak with highest regard..You did not need to Network..for we all came to you for guidance. When I needed his leadership in my career either it be with developers, listings or just the plane old basics of RE 101...it seemed I always deferred to David's final word, for I knew it was the right thing to do..He never told you what you wanted to hear..he spoke the truth and with the wisdom of a True Leader.
I will miss him...as we all will , and I will always keep close to my heart, his advice to me that" honesty and loyalty should never be "underrated".
We lost the best of the best...
You were and will always be our Renaissance Man.
David has always given his all to our profession. He is a talented salesman shown excellent skills and leadership as a manager, he has inspired his agents and many Coldwell Banker agents have benefited by his guidance as an instructor. I met David while President of the Northside Real Estate Board. He was on the board of Condex. Our boards worked out a merger and David worked tirelessly to insure we had an excellent MLS service for the members. He gave of his time and continued to use his talents to help develop Chicago Association of Realtors. I appreciate all he has done for our industry and express my deep sympathy to his friends, family and co-workers.
Susan Cooney
Honorary Member of CAR
Past President of the NSBAR
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
The last time I was with David he reminisced about some of the financial hardships he'd overcome in earlier days. "Life is long," he said, and relationships and health matter more than money.
I join the many people who are wishing today, and will continue to wish, that David's life had been much longer.
Those who know him only by reputation can get a feel for the man and his approach to life in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQzs33KIHKs
My associate and I were just talking about David several weeks ago as he was very instrumental in our ability to build our business. Quite honestly, without his help, there's a chance that I'd be working in another field. It's amazing how one person's kind gesture can positively impact other people's lives. In a nutshell, that was David.