Obituary : Robert A. Hallquist
Robert Arnold Hallquist, 79, of Fayetteville, Penn., died after a brief illness on October 20 at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. He was the interim pastor for the Vineyard Assembly of God in Vineyard Haven for the past 15 months.
Robert was born in Brockton on September 8, 1930, to Sven and Esther Hallquist. He was married to Doris LaVerne Blair of Whittier, Calif., on December 31, 1953 in Baltimore, Md. He graduated from Brockton High School in Brockton in 1949 and attended Central Bible College in Springfield, Mo., the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Kent State University.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having been honorably discharged in 1954. He was later employed by Bethlehem Steel Corporation in Sparrows Point, Md., and while there, founded the Abundant Life Church in Glen Burnie, Md. He would continue in the ministry, pastoring churches in five states. Following his full-time career as a minister, he became a regional representative for Gospel Publishing House and retired there in 1998. After his retirement he became an interim pastor to churches in three states. His last pastorate was the Vineyard Assembly of God in Vineyard Haven.
During his life he was a member of the Honorary Order of Kentucky Colonels, the Swedish American Historical Society, and Rotary International. He was a member of many community ministerial associations and participated in various community and religious institutions. His favorite hobbies were photography, golf, and travel. While living on the Vineyard he was a member of the chaplain staff at Martha's Vineyard Hospital and participated in various community events, including the annual Fourth of July parade in Edgartown. In 2008 he depicted President Franklin D. Roosevelt, although he himself was a lifelong Republican. In the 2009 parade, he depicted a rower in General Washington's crossing of the Delaware. During the holiday season, he donned period attire, singing Christmas carols with other members of his church throughout the community. He was never resistant to lending a hand.
He is survived by his wife, Doris L. Hallquist, a son, Stephen Hallquist, and daughter-in-law, Amy Visciglia, of New London, Conn.; a daughter, Shea Blair, of Jerome, Ariz.; a son, David Hallquist, and daughter-in-law, Nadya Hallquist, of Pickerington, Ohio; and a daughter, Chris Bauer, and son-in-law, Roy Bauer ,of Kennewick, Wash. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Aaron Hallquist, Amanda Hallquist, Courtney Bauer, Lauren Patridge, Ryan Hallquist, Alanna Bauer, Daniel Bauer, Vasily Shatalov, Madeline Bauer; and two step-grandchildren, Timothy Sparen and Tracy Conley. He has five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters; Shirley Farrell of Bridgewater, Marilyn Johnson of Pocasset, and Elaine Coe of Bourne. He was predeceased by a brother, Richard Hallquist.
A funeral service was held on October 24 at the Heritage Christian Church in East Falmouth. Arrangements were made by the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Mashpee. His family will receive relatives and friend from 5 to 8 pm at the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home in Chambersburg, Penn., on Thursday, Nov. 12. Following a military burial at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Penn., on November 13, a celebration of Robert's life will be held on November 14 at 10 am at the Greencastle Assembly of God in Greencastle, Penn.
