Russel Curtis Hale, 79, of Greenville, Delaware, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2026, at Christiana Hospital, surrounded by his loving wife and sons.
Born on February 22, 1947, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Russ lived a life grounded in hard work, family, and simple joys. He proudly served in the United States Navy from April 1968 to November 1970 and later earned his bachelor’s degree in applied science from Wilmington College, now Wilmington University.
Russ spent nearly 29 years with Verizon as a Network Engineer/Network Supervisor and Senior Sales Engineer, building a career defined by dedication and reliability.
Above all, he was a family man. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Lynne Margery Hale, who was truly the center of his world and his lifelong soulmate. He is also survived by his sons, Christopher Hale of Hopewell, New Jersey, and Jason Hale of Milford, Delaware. Christopher and his wife, Kelly, have two children, Branden and Morgan. Jason and his wife, Sara, have four children: Meghan, Emily Susan, Emily Elaine, and Grant. He was known and loved by his grandchildren as “Pop Pop,” a name he carried with pride.
He was preceded in death by his son, Derrick Hale; his sister, Ethel Mae Hale; his mother, Margaret Hale; and his father, Russell Hale.
He was a dedicated leader in the Boy Scouts of America Troop 919, serving as both a troop leader and a district commissioner. He remained actively involved for more than 20 years, continuing to lead and mentor Scouts long after his son Derrick earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
He found joy in the everyday moments that made life meaningful. He loved driving and spending time at Bombay Hook, visiting their second home in Eastham on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and making his weekly trips to Pennsylvania for lottery tickets. He enjoyed breakfast at the diner with friends, telling stories, and cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles. He was deeply proud of his children and grandchildren and took great pride in the lives they built.
Rusl will be remembered for his steady presence, his love of family, and his appreciation for the simple things in life. He was the kind of man you could always count on, and he will be deeply missed.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www.afsp.org) in memory of Derrick Hale or to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org) in honor of Russel Hale.
A private service will be held with immediate family.
