Richard M. Hale

An industrialist, Richard M. Hale served as chair and CEO of Halecrest Company, a family of businesses that included construction, real estate development, energy, mining, manufacturing, and material supply firms, until his retirement in 1994. The company grew from a small paving contracting business that he ran with his brother Philip. Hale was the first recipient of New Jersey’s Construction Man of the Year award in 1975. Later, he served as president of the New Jersey Aggregates Association and founded the New Jersey Alliance for Action, the state’s largest consortium of management and labor dedicated to a stronger economy. He was generous with his time. In 1987, Rutgers renamed the athletic training center the Hale Center to recognize his service, dedication, and support. He also served on the Rutgers University Foundation Board of Overseers. Hale was chair of the $2.5 million capital campaign for the Metuchen/Edison YMCA and of the Wardlaw-Hartridge School Board of Trustees, as well as president of the Board of Governors of Raritan Bay Medical Center. He died in 2004.