Bob Hallett, librarian-media specialist at Riderwood Elementary, dressed up as the superhero "Red Reader." (Photo courtesy of The Education Channel, Baltimore County / September 25, 2009) |
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Robert Hallett, a longtime Baltimore County school librarian who invented a spandex-clad superhero to motivate children to read, died Monday of a rare form of leukemia. The Reisterstown resident was 60.
Mr. Hallett, who was called Bob when not assuming one of his alter egos, spent much of his more than 30-year career as a library-media specialist at Riderwood Elementary in Towson, where staff, parents and students described him as central to the school's spirit and culture. After his diagnosis and hospitalization several months ago, the community raised funds for his family through "Team Hallett" bumper stickers and wristbands, and gathered in a twice-weekly prayer group.
"We are deeply saddened by this loss, and we understand that his passing is going to have a profound impact not only on the students but the faculty, the staff and the parents as well," Principal Kathy DeHart said Tuesday. "We also celebrate his love of teaching and his infinite contributions to Riderwood and Baltimore County schools."
Born in the Bronx, N.Y., and raised in Levittown on Long Island, N.Y., Mr. Hallett attended Division Avenue High School, said his wife of 25 years, the former Debby Kessler. He went on to the State University of New York at New Paltz, and then received a graduate degree in educational media from Purdue University.
Mr. Hallett moved to the county school system in 1974, starting out at Riderwood Elementary, according to school officials. Over the next three decades, he would also take his talents to Church Lane and Hernwood elementaries, as well as Kenwood High, to name a few. In 1996, he returned to Riderwood, where he remained until his death.
At Riderwood, his library became a world designed to captivate the students coming through his doors - something he succeeded in doing so well that many remember his magic tricks and the oddities he placed around the room, including a clock with backward numbers, years after they left the school.
"It was really, really fun to have a teacher like that, who was so friendly and outgoing and a lot of fun," said Annie Bishai, a junior at Towson High and one of four siblings to attend Riderwood. "He brought a lot of life to the school."
"I think anyone who's been through that school ... knows Mr. Hallett and appreciates Mr. Hallett," said Martha Bishai, one of many parents who said they came to know his humor and kindness.
His reach extended well beyond the library. Mr. Hallett organized talent shows and reading-incentive rock concerts, and oversaw the student-run TV studio - in addition to participating in programs on the district's Education Channel. A few years ago, he helped develop - and then became - the Red Reader, the superhero at the center of a motivational reading show. He also gave voice to puppet Professor Q on a show called "Math Homework Helpers."
"He talked with kids like they were people," Mrs. Hallett said. And one of his primary goals was to get them "to think reading is a fun thing," she added.
That creative mind also fostered Mr. Hallett's musical talent. For about two decades, he spent Friday and Saturday evenings singing on the street corner outside the Pikesville restaurant Jilly's when the weather was nice, his wife said.
"Bob was just such a special guy," said Mrs. Hallett, who met her husband nearly 30 years ago at a Jewish community center in Pikesville. "When he was in a room, you felt his energy and his strength and his spirit."
He "noticed things," she said, and "always put everybody else first."
"He's a guy that just spread joy to everybody he came in touch with," said his twin brother, Norman Hallett of Florida. "It started as a little kid, and it ran all the way through Riderwood."
Parents, students and others have posted hundreds of messages on a Web site that Mrs. Hallett has been using for updates. Note after note describes how the librarian transformed students into enthusiastic readers.
"I can't even imagine what I could ever do to make the impact that he made," said parent Shelly Plasse, who has two sons at Riderwood and volunteers in the library.
A graveside service is scheduled at 12:30 p.m. Friday at Columbia Memorial Park, 12005 Clarksville Pike in Columbia.
In addition to his wife and brother, Mr. Hallett is also survived by a daughter, Marni, a student at Towson University; a son, Lee, a student at University of Maryland Baltimore County; and brothers Dan Hallett of Florida and Jay Hallett of New York.
Mr. Hallett, who was called Bob when not assuming one of his alter egos, spent much of his more than 30-year career as a library-media specialist at Riderwood Elementary in Towson, where staff, parents and students described him as central to the school's spirit and culture. After his diagnosis and hospitalization several months ago, the community raised funds for his family through "Team Hallett" bumper stickers and wristbands, and gathered in a twice-weekly prayer group.
"We are deeply saddened by this loss, and we understand that his passing is going to have a profound impact not only on the students but the faculty, the staff and the parents as well," Principal Kathy DeHart said Tuesday. "We also celebrate his love of teaching and his infinite contributions to Riderwood and Baltimore County schools."
Born in the Bronx, N.Y., and raised in Levittown on Long Island, N.Y., Mr. Hallett attended Division Avenue High School, said his wife of 25 years, the former Debby Kessler. He went on to the State University of New York at New Paltz, and then received a graduate degree in educational media from Purdue University.
Mr. Hallett moved to the county school system in 1974, starting out at Riderwood Elementary, according to school officials. Over the next three decades, he would also take his talents to Church Lane and Hernwood elementaries, as well as Kenwood High, to name a few. In 1996, he returned to Riderwood, where he remained until his death.
At Riderwood, his library became a world designed to captivate the students coming through his doors - something he succeeded in doing so well that many remember his magic tricks and the oddities he placed around the room, including a clock with backward numbers, years after they left the school.
"It was really, really fun to have a teacher like that, who was so friendly and outgoing and a lot of fun," said Annie Bishai, a junior at Towson High and one of four siblings to attend Riderwood. "He brought a lot of life to the school."
"I think anyone who's been through that school ... knows Mr. Hallett and appreciates Mr. Hallett," said Martha Bishai, one of many parents who said they came to know his humor and kindness.
His reach extended well beyond the library. Mr. Hallett organized talent shows and reading-incentive rock concerts, and oversaw the student-run TV studio - in addition to participating in programs on the district's Education Channel. A few years ago, he helped develop - and then became - the Red Reader, the superhero at the center of a motivational reading show. He also gave voice to puppet Professor Q on a show called "Math Homework Helpers."
"He talked with kids like they were people," Mrs. Hallett said. And one of his primary goals was to get them "to think reading is a fun thing," she added.
That creative mind also fostered Mr. Hallett's musical talent. For about two decades, he spent Friday and Saturday evenings singing on the street corner outside the Pikesville restaurant Jilly's when the weather was nice, his wife said.
"Bob was just such a special guy," said Mrs. Hallett, who met her husband nearly 30 years ago at a Jewish community center in Pikesville. "When he was in a room, you felt his energy and his strength and his spirit."
He "noticed things," she said, and "always put everybody else first."
"He's a guy that just spread joy to everybody he came in touch with," said his twin brother, Norman Hallett of Florida. "It started as a little kid, and it ran all the way through Riderwood."
Parents, students and others have posted hundreds of messages on a Web site that Mrs. Hallett has been using for updates. Note after note describes how the librarian transformed students into enthusiastic readers.
"I can't even imagine what I could ever do to make the impact that he made," said parent Shelly Plasse, who has two sons at Riderwood and volunteers in the library.
A graveside service is scheduled at 12:30 p.m. Friday at Columbia Memorial Park, 12005 Clarksville Pike in Columbia.
In addition to his wife and brother, Mr. Hallett is also survived by a daughter, Marni, a student at Towson University; a son, Lee, a student at University of Maryland Baltimore County; and brothers Dan Hallett of Florida and Jay Hallett of New York.
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I was a student at Hernwood and I remember Mr. Hallet as a jovial, enthusiatic man. I transfered midyear to the 2nd grade and it was tough. Visiting the library was one of the bright moments of my day. I am a voracious reader to this day and definitely the love of reading was planted/watered by Mr. Hallet. Over 20 years later I still remember his spirit and smile.
reina7 (10/28/2009, 11:43 AM )