Emily Chamberlin Obituary

Colonel Emily Elizabeth
(Hall) Chamberlin
September 20, 1949
November 11, 2023

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, Alaska. 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.