Douglas A. Hallatt

Douglas A. Hallatt, 82, of the Walworth area passed away on July 7th, 2025, at Golden Years of Walworth.

Doug was born on January 9, 1943, to the late Arthur and Nora Hallatt in Manitoba, Canada.  On June 27th, 1964, Doug married his high school sweetheart the late Margaret Searle. Together they attended the University of North Dakota, where Doug earned his Doctorate in Education.  They remained in the United States eventually settling in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  Doug became the Director of Housing for the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1969.

Doug was an avid hunter and loved his trips to North Dakota and Manitoba for pheasant hunting.  Doug had a passion for life in general, but was especially passionate about teaching and leadership.  After retiring as the Director of Housing, this love led him to a “second life” career as a professor of leadership studies.  He established the Leadership Institute in 1989, a leadership summer camp, where he hosted hundreds of youth until the early 2000s.  When he wasn’t helping inspire and grow generations of young leaders, Doug  spent many afternoons and weekends on the golf course with friends and family.  Always “larger than life” in everything he did and always up for an impromptu gathering at the house in Eau Claire inevitably announcing “Margaret we have company”.

Doug is survived by his two children: Christopher Hallatt and Scott (Jennifer) Hallatt.  Two grandchildren Morgan and Emily, along with his sister Barbara (Barry) Lindsay and is preceded in death by his brother Kenneth (Ida) Hallatt and sister Noreen (Hank) McLauchlan.

There will be a celebration of Doug’s life on September 13th, 2025, from the hours of 2:00pm till 5:00pm at the Eau Claire Country Club with formal remarks by friends and family at 3:00.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy the family has asked that you donate in Doug’s name to the Doug and Margaret Hallatt Scholarship Fund at UWEC either online or checks can be sent to UWEC Foundation, Flesch Family Welcome Center, PO Box 1208, Eau Claire, WI 54702.

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Derrick Funeral Home of Lake Geneva is honored to be assisting Doug’s family.