[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 157 (Monday, October 2, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S6238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Remembering Elder Robert D. Hales

  Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to Elder Robert D. Hales, a 
member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus 
Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  With his family gathered around his bedside, Elder Hales passed away 
peacefully yesterday afternoon in between sessions of LDS General 
Conference. More than a beloved leader, he was a caring family man, a 
powerful role model, and a close friend whom I will miss dearly. Today, 
I wish to pay tribute to Elder Hales as we remember a life well-lived.
  Elder Hales was born on August 4, 1932, to Rulon and Vera Hales. He 
grew up on Long Island in a diverse neighborhood, which allowed him to 
become familiar with a variety of different cultures. Although raised 
on the east coast, Elder Hales always maintained strong western roots. 
He would speak fondly of the summers he spent in Utah bailing hay, 
riding horses, tending sheep, and herding cattle in the mountain 
pastures. Although Elder Hales would later become an accomplished 
businessman, he was no stranger to manual labor, and he credited his 
early days working on the farm as the source of his strong work ethic.
  During his teenage years, Elder Hales distinguished himself as a 
student and excelled as a pitcher for his high school baseball team.
  After enrolling at the University of Utah, he returned home to New 
York for the summer and met Mary Crandall. It was love at first sight. 
They married a year later in the Salt Lake Temple on June 10, 1953.
  Following his graduation from college, Elder Hales joined the U.S. 
Air Force, where he served as a fighter pilot. His squadron's motto was 
``Return With Honor.'' In his own words, ``The motto was a constant 
reminder to us of our determination to return to home base with honor 
after we had expended all of our efforts to successfully complete every 
aspect of our mission.''
  ``Return With Honor'' would become the credo by which Elder Hales 
lived his life, expending every effort as a faith leader, father, and 
friend to better himself, bless others, and build the Kingdom of God.
  Yesterday afternoon, after decades of dedicated service as a minister 
of Jesus Christ, he completed his mortal mission and returned with 
honor to our heavenly home. The challenge he leaves behind is for all 
of us to do the same.
  To the very end, Elder Hales was a model of selfless service. Even in 
his later years, beset by illness and old age, he continued to carry 
out the responsibilities of his apostolic office without hesitation and 
without complaint. Elder Hales decided when he was still a young man 
that he would never let anything get in the way of his church service.
  Following his career in the Air Force, Elder Hales enrolled at 
Harvard Business School, where he was called to serve as Elders Quorum 
president, one of the most demanding leadership positions in the LDS 
Church. Because of his heavy course load, Elder Hales could have easily 
declined the calling, but he gladly accepted it. His wife Mary guided 
him in making this decision. When Elder Hales said he might fail his 
classes if he agreed to serve as the Elders Quorum president, Mary 
said:

       Bob, I would rather have an active priesthood holder than a 
     man who holds a master's degree from Harvard. We'll do both.

  With Mary's unwavering support, Elder Hales served successfully as an 
Elders Quorum president in addition to earning his MBA. He would later 
go on to work as a high-level executive at multiple national 
corporations.
  From this formative experience, Bob and Mary learned that God would 
provide for them as long as they put the gospel first. That is why 
Elder Hales did not hesitate to leave his business career behind when 
he was called to serve as a mission president and later as an apostle 
in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  Elder Hales provided a model of servant-leadership for all of us to 
follow. He was a true disciple of Jesus Christ, putting the welfare of 
others before self and the Kingdom of God above all. He was gracious 
and loving, thoughtful and kind. In all things, Elder Hales exemplified 
humanity and humility, which was the hallmark of his life.
  While millions of us grieve his passing, we take peace and comfort in 
knowing that his service continues on the other side.
  I knew him very well, played golf with him, thought he was one of the 
great men in my life. I am going to pay tribute to him and his family 
here today in front of the whole United States Senate and the country. 
He was one of the most worthwhile people I ever met. We are going to 
miss him.