Born January 31, 1927 to Harlow and Jessie Hulburt in Port Angeles, Washington, Hal came from humble beginnings. At the age of 7 he began milking cows twice a day on a farm in Washougal, Washington. At age 11, after his father passed away, Hal and his mother moved to Portland, Oregon. He attended Benson Polytechnic before secretly dropping out and starting work. Once his mom found out she gave him them ultimatum of going back to school or working full time. Thinking he didn’t need school, Hal made the choice to go to work.
In 1944, Hal enlisted in the US Navy. He went to Torpedo School and served as a Torpedoman Third Class. 4 years later he was honorably discharged. Hal headed directly back to work as a fisherman in Alaska, followed by a series of odd jobs. Deciding he was no longer too smart for school, he moved back to Portland and attended University of Portland on the GI bill. He graduated with a degree in accounting and entered into the hospitality business. After managing bar at The Crab Broiler, Hal and a co-worker decided it was time to venture out on their own. It was then that a Portland Hollywood District landmark was born.
Hal and his business partner, Stan Prouty, selected a prime spot on 39th Ave. where Broadway and Sandy meet, which at the time was a bustling area of businesses and retail shops. On June 17, 1959 Poor Richard’s was open for business. PR’s, as it was called by regulars and neighbors, became a staple in the community. They sponsored bowling leagues and little league teams, and created marketing tactics and gimmicks to draw customers in. In 1972 the two came up with their most notable promotion, the two-for-one dinner which caused such a buzz a full time cocktail waitress had to be hired.
Eventually Hal bought out his business partner and continued managing Poor Richard’s, keeping the neighborhood feel that so many of his regulars loved. A tough, but fair boss he created a team of loyal employees who stayed with him for 20, 30 and 40 years. Many of his former employees credit their excellent service skills from their time at PR’s and under the mentorship of Hal.
After 47 years in business, Hal sold Poor Richard’s in 2006 and settled into a well-deserved life of retirement. He spent his time as an avid reader, consuming books and literature and also traveled. He visited Paris and enjoyed a meal at the top of the Eiffel Tower, saw coffee plantations in Brazil, and toured Vienna.
Toward the end of his life, a friend and former employee, Janna Holmes and her grandson, Scout, cared for Hal and turned his bachelor pad into a home.
He is survived by his cousins, Dolores Mueller and Keith Burlingame; personal assistant, Jolene Heermann-Heitman who served under Hal’s employ for 42 years since 1976; and numerous friends, employees, and faithful customers of Poor Richard’s.
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