November 2021 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER 19
Charbonneau Tennis Club
By KATHI GRAY
A tribute to Steve Hall
The Charbonneau Tennis Club lost its cornerstone recently . Steve Hall passed away Sept . 17 after a short illness . We will
GRAY miss Steve for so many reasons .
Steve was an organizer , planner , historian and all around good guy . His incredible strategic and tactical planning has kept the tennis club on a successful , independent road which we have enjoyed for many years . Steve was our club manager for the last 16 years until his retirement last year .
He recently came back to the board as an advisor because he
“ missed us .”
With so much history and knowledge , he was definitely our go-to guy for anything concerning the functioning of the tennis club .
Steve ’ s quiet demeanor was summed up by a speaker at Steve ’ s memorial service . The gentlemen said the three things that he felt embodied Steve ’ s spirit were his kindness , personal integrity and most importantly , family . I do not remember Steve saying an unkind word about anyone . He may not agree with someone , but I never heard an unkind word from him or about him . He tried to please and be fair at all times and kept the tennis club running smoothly . His family spoke of his love for each and every one of them . He was blessed with four children and nine grandchildren . Proud of all of them !
Steve was quite a sportsman ! He was on the Oregon State University tennis team in the 1950s and was a
“ Steve was an organizer , planner , historian and all around good guy .”
— Kathi Gray
Beavers season ticket holder for 58 years . Go Beavers ! He ran three marathons , half marathons and numerous 10K races . Steve played tennis into his 80s ( 2019 ) and along with his partner , they won the state doubles title and barely lost in the singles quarter finals in a three setter that same year . An avid golfer , Steve could be seen around the golf course in his Oregon State themed orange and black golf cart . He was a sports enthusiast all his life . Steve was very instrumental in keeping the history of Oregon tennis alive in several books he had written for the Oregon Historical Tennis Committee . Steve lived a very full life of sports , friends and family . We will greatly miss Steve and all that he embodied — both on the court and in life .
Steve Hall died Sept . 17 .
COURTESY PHOTO
Charbonneau Country Club Garage Sale Summer 2022
For more information contact the Clubhouse Staff at 503 694-2300 or office @ charbonneaucountryclub . com