Hal David Mumford

Hal was the son of Hubert S. and Helen K. Mumford, born on July 11, 1945, in Charlotte, NC. Raised in Durham, NC, Hal graduated from Durham High School in 1963. Hal always said he marched to the beat of a different drum, from firefighter, army reservist, rower, nurse, nursing instructor, nurse anesthetist, and so much more.

After high school, Hal worked for Coca Cola where he would make deliveries to the Durham Fire Department. This prompted him to become a firefighter. Hal and several of his colleagues would volunteer at Duke Hospital, which sparked his interest in medicine prompting him to enroll in the East Carolina School of Nursing where he graduated in 1974 with a BSN.

Hal joined the Army Reserves, receiving Advanced Individual training at Fort Sam Houston Medical Training Center, along with a diploma for completion of Physical Therapy Aide at Brooke Army Medical Center. In November 1974, Hal received an honorable discharge.

An army reservist and nursing student still found time to ROW. Hal was a member of the East Carolina Pirates Rowing team. The varsity "heavy weights eights" beat the Virginia Cavaliers in Richmond, the highlight of his time rowing. They received an invitation to try out for the USA Olympics. Hal had to pass up on the opportunity, dedicating his time to nursing school.

Hal started his nursing career in the Neuro ICU at Pitt Memorial and soon after entered the Durham County Anesthesia School. After graduation in 1980, he moved to Wilmington, NC, where he met his soulmate and wife, Emilie. In 1982, they moved to New Orleans, never imagining the home it would become.

Hal was an instructor at the Charity School of Nurse Anesthesia. If you know you know... A very eye opening, rewarding career. Seven years later he transitioned to "sitting on the stool" for Parrish Anesthesia at East Jefferson Hospital in Metairie, LA, and worked until 2015.

Now let's talk about the side of Hal so many did not know. Did you know he had his arms resting on the stage front at the age of 14 watching James Brown? He loved Doug Clark and the "Hot Nuts" and going to the August Jam in Charlotte, NC. Obviously, he had a diverse interest in music. If Hal found an interest in something, he would become an expert and make it part of his "collection". A walk through Hal and Emilie's home is a museum experience. We will miss Hal's commentary. It covered so many chapters that have to be mentioned. The New York Yankees: spurred on by his father who was raised in Cooperstown, NY and helped open the Baseball Hall of Fame. Tobacco memorabilia: a son of Durham, the home of the American Tobacco industry for over a century. Medical and pharmaceutical memorabilia: Hal was able to meet Elisabeth Bennion while in London famous for her expertise and publications on Antique Medical Instruments. Military memorabilia covering the Civil War, WWI, WWII along with Americana memorabilia.

"Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication" (Leonardo da Vinci) was Hal's favorite quote. For Hal this was embodied in a good French Burgundy, a snifter of fine Cognac, watching a Duke Blue Devils basketball game, his many trips up to New England with Emilie, enjoying dinner at Clancy's "at the bar" with Emilie or simply sitting on the sofa with their Samoyeds.

Hal and Emilie went on their first date October 29, 1980, and they were able to celebrate it before his passing, toasting champagne on their patio while they looked over photos. Hal would love to share his first memory of seeing Emilie and how he knew at that moment she would be his wife. They were married 10/1/1994.

If you knew Hal, you knew he had an opinion and that applied to how he wanted to spend his final days. This would never have been possible had it not been for his loving wife Emilie. Hal wanted to be in their home with Emilie, and she gave him that with incredible care and love, the ultimate caregiver.

Hal was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert S. and Helen K. Mumford. He is survived by his wife Emilie Stolpa; brothers Hugh Mumford (Agnes) and Floyd Mumford; sister, Betty Ann Pittman (Carson); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Emilie and her family would like to express gratitude to Hal's physicians, Dr. James Perrien, Dr. Michael Touchy and Dr. David Newsome, and to Serenity Hospice. Emilie is especially grateful to Hal's home health nurse, Taylor Glasco. He was more than a nurse to Emilie and Hal. They formed a bond and Taylor continues to be an incredible support to Emilie.

A celebration of Hal's life will be scheduled in the future. In lieu of flowers, Emilie requests that memorials be made out to St. Jude Children's Hospital or Breakthrough T1D (Type I Diabetes).