Congratulations to the next Badger Hall of Fame inductee for the Class of 2025. Dr. Roland Houston Hall, or as his family and early childhood friends affectionately called him, “Toad,” was born and raised on a farm in Paradise Valley in Boundary County.
He was the middle child, the older brother of Larry and younger brother of Dewey, of Gilbert (Gib) and Delia (Dede) Hall. Roland grew up riding his horse, Plunkety, milking his cow, T-Bone, and enjoying hiking and hunting with his best friends, Dean Neumeyer and David McLeish.
As a child, he attended Southside, Northside and Valley View Elementary Schools. One of his teachers at Northside recalled the story of the school never needing a bell to announce recess because everyone heard Roland yelling “Whoopee!” as he raced out of the building!
Although Roland was an intelligent student, he found junior high and high school to be boring and too easy. He bragged about never taking a book home to study as was unfortunately evident in his underperforming grades.
But the farm boy/hunter/hiker grew to have amazing grip strength with the help of ol’ T-Bone. This proved to be his “Superpower” in sports. While attending Bonners Ferry High School, Roland was a two sport athlete. As a member of his 1970 football team, the Badgers defeated Lakeland High School for the District Championship.
But his true calling was wrestling.
During his freshman year, he wrestled JV at 140 pounds. By his sophomore and junior years, he made the varsity team, wrestled at 157 and 167 respectively, and qualified for the Idaho State Championship.
Finally, in his senior year, he was one of only three Badger wrestlers who qualified for the 1971 Idaho State Wrestling Championship. Back in those days, there was only one division, and Roland became Bonners Ferry High School’s very first State Champion at 171 pounds.
His claim to fame was, “Once I got a hold of my opponent, he could never get away!”
His success at State earned him a scholarship to wrestle at Grays Harbor Community College in Aberdeen, Washington. During those two years, Roland decided to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and proceeded to earn straight As. In 1973, Roland transferred to Washington State University.
As a WSU chemistry major, Roland continued to excel in the classroom by again earning straight As. He gained employment at the College of Veterinary Medicine as a cat caretaker in the clinic. His scholastic achievements and strong work ethic proved he was a worthy candidate. As a result, in 1974, Roland was accepted into the College as a veterinary student, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in the Class of 1978.
While being a WSU student, Roland met the love of His life, Linda Endow, who was a WSU entomology graduate student. Roland and Linda were married in 1978 and just celebrated their 47th anniversary on July 1.
In the fall of 1978, Roland served his country for two years in the U.S Army Veterinary Corp, and worked weekends for local veterinarians in the Fort Polk, Louisiana, area. Following his military service, Roland worked for one year in Moses Lake, Washington. Then in 1981, he returned to Bonners Ferry to work for Dr. Bob Alley. However, Dr. Alley decided to sell the practice, so on January 1, 1982, Dr. Roland Hall became the new owner of the Bonners Ferry Veterinary Clinic.
He worked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for 11 years as a one-man practice to pay off the business. In 1992, he built the current clinic building and then hired three additional veterinarians.
During this time, Roland and Linda had two sons, Aaron (BFHS Class of
2003) and Adam (BFHS Class of 2006). Roland and Adam are the first father/son Idaho State Wrestling Champions for BFHS. Finally, after 42 years of ownership, Roland and Linda sold the Bonners Ferry Veterinary Clinic on November 1, 2024, to Dr. Sierra Temple, who just happens to be both a BFHS and a WSU graduate!
Now, working only part-time, Roland has more time to hunt, fish, ride his two horses and two mules, as well as visit his daughters-in-law, Desiree and Christine, and grandchildren, Theo, Natasha, Charley and soon to be Baby Hall (September 22).
He is honored to be a member of the Badger Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
This year’s class will be guests of honor as the Badger football team takes Lakeside at 7 p.m. Friday, September 19, at Kenny Mendenhall Stadium, with introductions at half time.
The 2025 Hall of Fame Banquet and Ceremony will be held Saturday, November 15. Details and ticket information and event details are coming soon. Call (208) 610-8710, email travis.hinthorn@mail.bcsd101.com or contact any Board Member if you have questions or would like to donate to the Badger Hall of Fame.