Stephen Francis Hallam

Dr. Stephen Francis Hallam passed away in Fairlawn, Ohio on March 13, 2017, after an inspiring and hard fought battle with lung cancer. He was a loving and devoted husband and father of four, a bright and inspiring teacher to generations of students, and a cherished and good-humored friend to many.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa Alberte Hallam; their daughters, Patricia Hallam (Brian) Joseph and Margaret Hallam; and his two older sons, Rodney (Beth) Hallam and Kenneth Hallam. He loved being a grandparent to his six grandchildren: Ken Jr., Ali, Kyle, Patrick, Hannah, and Penelope.

He was born on November 11, 1944, the youngest of five, and grew up on a small farm in Forrest, Illinois. Steve was a tireless worker who received his PhD in Business Administration from the University of Iowa in 1973. He went on to be a prolific researcher and writer, contributing to the discipline with numerous articles and books about strategic management, leadership, computing systems, ethics, and principles of management. He was passionate about his work and committed to providing quality education to students. Steve was the Dean of the College of Business at the University of Akron from 1995 to 2003 and a beloved professor in the Department of Management there until the time of his death. Prior to joining the University of Akron, he was Dean of the School of Management at University of Michigan-Flint (1992-1995) and Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Studies in Business at Northern Illinois University (1989-1992).

Steve was an avid cyclist and was known to routinely clock more than 30 miles a day on the hills around the Cuyahoga Valley with his "extremely menacing" biker gang, The Romeos. After receiving his diagnosis, Steve used his cycling to raise funds to fight the disease, and inspired others to do the same. When he wasn't cycling, he worked out and chatted with friends at the Akron Health and Wellness Center in Bath. He had fun with his monthly poker group, and read and discussed a wide variety of books at the monthly meeting of his book club. Steve also loved to garden at the Bath Community Garden, and would spend many hours getting his hands dirty, and watching the beautiful scenery. He was past president of the Summit Choral Society, and was a member of Rotary Club.

His family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to the nurses, doctors, and staff at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center Cleveland, as well as to researchers working on targeted genetic treatments, who all gave him such happy, active, and productive three years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the scholarship fund established in his name at the University of Akron, Department of Development, Akron, OH 44325-2603 ([email protected]). The family also encourages individuals to pledge to ride in Dr. Hallam's name or donate to VeloSano Bike to Cure 2017, 9500 Euclid Avenue, DVB Cleveland, OH 44195 (http://www.velosano.org/).
Friends may call SUNDAY, March 19, from 3 to 6 pm at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N Miller Road, Akron, OH 44333. Services will be held MONDAY at 5 pm at the funeral home with Reverend Sandra Selby officiating. (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)