Emily Elizabeth (Hall) Chamberlin, age 74, passed away on Veterans Day, November 11, 2023, after a long battle with Dementia. She was born on September 20, 1949, to Joseph W. Hall and Suzanne (Van Der Linden) Hall in Salisbury, North Carolina, and grew up on their dairy farm near Cleveland, North Carolina. As a country girl she naturally became adventurous, athletic, and fearless. These traits served her well in her school years as she became a standout athlete and captain of her school basketball team and was chosen as most athletic in her class at West Rowan High School. She continued her education earning her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education at Elon College, followed by her Master’s degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1973.
Her adventurous spirit influenced her to join the United States Air Force, and after Officer Candidate School she was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and assigned to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, as a Special Services officer. Her superb performance resulted in her assignment as the Director of Special Services at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Alabama. This posting was fortuitous for a young instructor pilot stationed there as they met and fell in love. First Lieutenants Kurt Chamberlin from Laramie, Wyoming, and Emily Hall from Cleveland, North Carolina, were married at the base chapel on August 30, 1975. Future assignments took them to Texas, Virginia, Germany, Alabama, Alaska, and finally to Colorado where Emily served as the Deputy Director of Personnel at the United States Air Force Academy before serving as the Air Force Academy Inspector General. Her excellent performance resulted in her promotion to Colonel, and she moved to Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs as the Deputy Director of Personnel for Air Force Space Command, her final assignment before retiring after 26 years of service. Emily earned many awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit, five Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Force Commendation Medals, and two National Defense Service Medals. After doing some private consulting for a year, Emily accepted a civilian position at the Air Force Academy as Associate Director of Athletics where she served for 7 years.
Throughout her life, Emily was involved in many hobbies and organizations. She loved world travel, played soccer and racket sports, and enjoyed snow skiing and hiking. Even in her 60’s she climbed Pikes Peak and ran the Bolder Boulder and several half marathons. She was an honorary coach for the Air Force Academy Women’s Volleyball Team, tutored high school students, was active in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and as a music lover with a beautiful voice, continued to take voice lessons and perform recitals. More importantly, she was a wonderful devoted wife and mother.
She is survived by her loving husband, Kurt Chamberlin; her son, Jeffrey Chamberlin (Bethaney); granddaughters: Thea and Maeve; her brother, Bill Hall (Rosemary); her sister, Marti Miller (Lonnie); and many cousins, nephews, and nieces.
Emily’s Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Falcon Stadium Press Box. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Cancer Society.
Lee
5 Jan 2024What a wonderful legacy! Can’t imagine how much you miss her Kurt. You’re in my prayers. Lee
Maureen McNally
5 Jan 2024Hello Cousin Kurt. I’m so sorry for your loss. It has been Kurt & Emily for as long as I can remember. I wish we had lived closer together so I could have known her. Grateful to have spent time with her at family reunion in South Lake Tahoe. Brings comfort to know she is now at rest. Take care of yourself & let the love from family embrace you and Jeffrey.
Steve McNally
5 Jan 2024Kurt….this was a beautiful tribute to a woman who was well loved, honored and respected. May your years spent with her always fill you with a depth of satisfaction that transcends the here and now, extends beyond the confines of our bodies and lives on in the fortification of your soul. Your undying love extended for her as she fought her final battle embodies all of the faithful courage of a dedicated “wing man”. God bless you. Stand down,…God has her now… Cousin Steve McNally
Dave McNally
5 Jan 2024Wonderful obituary Kurt. She was very giving of herself & made a difference in the lives of others. The hallmark of a well lived life.
May the Lord bring peace to your heart and the hearts of your children & grandchildren & fill you all with the best memories of a life well lived.
Rick and Carol (Holmes) Jackson
5 Jan 2024We so appreciate this obituary, Kurt, thank you. Carol remembers Emily as a best high school friend who helped her through some challenges and made life fun. And I hold you in the highest esteem as a hero in the final earthly chapter of Emily’s life. God bless you.
Jim Lee
5 Jan 2024Wow ,what a woman, what a life . You both were truly blessed to have each other and share such adventures. Be strong.
Haifen and Charlie Wang
6 Jan 2024We have been long time friends and neighbors of The Chamberlins. We used to do things together and Jeff was a great playmate of my younger son Mason. Emily’s voice and beautiful smile are still vivid in our minds and she’s already gone ! What a loss for us all ! Anyway, she’s in a better place now and we will always remember Emily as a warm and cheerful friend. Kurt, a wonderful husband, has been doing a great job since Emily had dementia. May God bless you and all your family members !
Judy (Hall) Baretela
6 Jan 2024May Emily’s final journey be peaceful and swift, and may she be blessed to rest with the angels forevermore.
Thank you Kurt for standing by Emily during her long battle with dementia. Emily and I grew up together as she lived about a mile up the road from where we grew up. We were first cousins but really more like sisters and I followed her career as it developed. I was so proud of her outstanding accomplishments. It was a privilege to call Emily my cousin.
Judy (Hall) Baretela
John Higgins
6 Jan 2024Kurt, you have been an absolutely and totally devoted Husband and Best Friend for Emily! We will remember her Southern accent and the fun we had together playing pictionary at a Church party.
We are so very sorry for your loss of your Best Friend and Sweetheart!
May God Bless you and comfort you at this time and forever more!
John and Joyce Higgins
Sharon McNally
6 Jan 2024Emily was such an awesome woman. Being a successful female in a male dominated job is something we always shared in common. I loved all of our conversations. I loved being around her. I wish it could have been more often but still cherished memories. She was always someone to be looked up to, admired, and emulated. All my love to you and your family my cousin.
Cousin Mickey
7 Jan 2024What a wonderful and loving tribute – to a wonderful and loving woman. It’s easy to see why you loved her so much Kurt. She gave so much of herself. The world needs more like her. A shining example to us all. Condolences to all of her family and friends. I hope your pain will be eased by the thoughts of her love. She was truly remarkable.
Beth and Jim Pennekamp
8 Jan 2024Kurt- oh how we cherish our friendship with you and Emily and Jeffrey during our USAFA days and beyond. Sweet memories of Patrick and Jeffrey’s friendship as such little boys! Our Disneyworld adventure together was such fun. What an amazing, strong family you are. Emily was such a wonderful friend and an an amazing, lovely lady. Kurt -you are such an example of faithfulness to us all. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and Jeffrey and his sweet family. Sending our love, Beth and Jim
Claude Dallas
17 Jan 2024Kurt,
My sincerest condolences for you, Jeffrey, and all the family. Emily will forever have a spot in my heart as she welcomed me so graciously into your extended Academy family. I’m eternally grateful to you both and will continue to keep you all in my prayers.
Ruby McNally
1 Feb 2024Emily was an awesome lady, with a beautiful smile. I wish we could have spent more time together, but distance kept us apart. Emily went about her business and daily activities as just another day. Always a joy to spend time with her — outgoing and fun loving. Kurt, you are an example of “true love,” and very much admired. God’s comfort and peace be with you and Jeffrey. I love you, Aunt Ruby.