Earl Hale

Earl passed away July 30 at home, surrounded by his family, from a glioblastoma brain tumor.  

Earl was born Sept. 10, 1943, to Betty and Millard Hale. He was raised in Cheney, Washington, where he enjoyed a wonderful childhood full of boating, camping, friends and family, baseball and cars. 

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University, where he met his wife of 57 years, Camille. He went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Washington, and later completed Harvard University’s Kennedy Program for State Government Executives, one of Earl’s favorite experiences.   

After serving in the Army at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Lewis, Washington, Earl and Camille made Lacey Washington their home. Earl began his career with the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges in 1970, serving as the executive director from 1987 until his retirement in 2006.  He focused on student outcomes, community needs and workforce development, and championed innovation and collaboration.  Earl’s career reflected his deeply held belief in the vital role of community and technical colleges.

After retirement, he continued to serve in the education field as a consultant for the Ford Foundation, focusing on the development of effective state systems for community colleges throughout the country. He also served on the Washington State Board for Higher Education, the National Center for Higher Education Management System Board, and numerous other national and state committees.

Earl was active in many civic organizations and causes throughout his life, including the Nisqually Land Trust Educational Board, the Olympian Editorial Board and more than 25 years serving on the Olympia YMCA board. In retirement, he volunteered at the Mt. St. Helens interpretive center and was a member of a local hiking club (THEM). He and Camille shared a passion for traveling internationally, and took many road trips across the U.S. He especially enjoyed destinations related to history and reading, like presidential libraries.

Earl loved living in the PNW, and spent many hours at the ocean and in the mountains with Camille and his daughters Beth and Diane, instilling in them a love of the outdoors. An avid hiker, he could tell you where to get the best mountain views, and the best burger and beer on the way home. Earl also loved cheering on local sports teams and attended Mariner’s spring training with good friends for more than 30 years. He had a life-long love of cars, especially classic cars and his two Corvairs.  

He is survived by his wife, Camille Hale; two daughters, Beth and Diane (Les); sister, Frances Peyton; sister-in-law, Jo Ann Busch; nephew, Nick Peyton (Alex); and niece, Karla Smith-Jones (Terry).

Memorial donations may be sent to the South Puget Sound Community College Automotive Program c/o the SPSCC Foundation, https://spscc.edu/foundation or 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia, WA  98512 or to the Nisqually Land Trust, https://nisquallylandtrust.org/how-to-help/donate/ or 1420 Marvin Rd SE, Ste C PMB 243, Lacey, WA 98516.

A memorial service will be held for Earl in the fall.