The funeral of former Bermuda College president Dr. Archie Hollis Hallett will take place today.

Dr. Hallett, who was at the helm of the College for 15 years from 1977, died on Sunday. He was 76.

While president, Dr. Hallett oversaw the development and construction of the College campus at Stonington. He also saw the College introduce its Distance Education programme, as well as move towards offering degrees in the areas of hospitality and social sciences. He continued as a part-time consultant to the College after his mandatory resignation at 65.

Dr. Hallett was born in Bermuda on February 5, 1927, the son of Rupert Carlyle Hollis Hallett D.C.L., Assistant Chief Justice, and Jessie Wales (Cameron) Hollis Hallett, MBE.

He was a student at Saltus Grammar School until 1943 when he attended St. Andrew's College in Ontario, Canada for one year to obtain university entrance standard.

Dr. Hallett entered the University of Toronto in 1944 and received his bachelor's degree in experimental physics in 1948. He obtained his doctorate from King's College, Cambridge, UK, in 1951 after carrying out research into the properties of liquid helium.

In 1951, he joined the staff of the Department of Physics in the University of Toronto as a lecturer, and taught physics and supervised graduate students.

In 1966, he was appointed Associate Dean in the Faculty of Arts and Science in the same university, and in 1970 he accepted a seven-year appointment as principal of University College.

Dr. Hallett returned to Bermuda in 1977 to take up the post of chief executive officer (the title was later changed to president) of Bermuda College. He also established the Juniperhill Press to publish the works of himself and his wife, Clara, on Bermudian topics and Mrs. Hallett developed an extensive knowledge of Bermuda records and genealogical services.

Just prior to his retirement, Dr. Hallett was recognised by the Queen for his work in education when he was made an Officer of the British Empire in the New Year Honours list in 1992.

Dr. Hallett is survived by his wife and three children, who yesterday expressed their love for a husband and father.

Describing her husband as “a humble and unassuming man” who was a great listener and often helped people find their own solutions to complex problems, Mrs. Hallett said: “It has been a great privilege to live with a man of Archie's calibre for 53 years.”

Youngest son James Hallett said his father was a patient and extraordinarily loving man.

Earlier this week current College president Dr. Michael Orenduff said: “He was one of the most amazing men I ever met. He seemed to remember everything that happened. He remembered all the names of his students, employees and people in the community with whom he had worked. He was doing research right up until the last, doing hours and hours at the National Library. Even though his health was failing, his mind was sharp as ever.

“He was clearly one of the most influential people in the development of the Bermuda College. We will be honouring his memory here at the College.”

The funeral mass will take place at St. John's Church, Pembroke at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Wesley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bermuda Maritime Museum, PO Box MA 133, Mangrove Bay, MA BX., Bermuda.