An extraordinary educator who brought sustainability training to life with heart, humor and unwavering commitment.
As we approach the one-year anniversary, we remember and mourn the loss of Chas Anders Hall, a longtime GPRO instructor with Urban Green, who passed away in October 2024. Known to many as “Charlie,” he brought a rare blend of deep technical expertise, quick wit, and genuine passion for teaching to every classroom. His tremendous impact continues to ripple throughout the green building community.
An engineer by training and a natural educator at heart, Charlie had a talent for breaking down complex concepts and inspiring students to think critically about how buildings impact our environment. Raised in Massachusetts, he spent his early years on the water, helping his father fish for lobsters. This early bond with nature fostered a lifelong passion for sustainability, grounded not only in science but in a hopeful vision for the planet and future generations.
Teaching green building was more than a job for Charlie—it was a mission. At Urban Green, he helped equip over 800 building professionals with the knowledge and skills to design, operate, and maintain healthier, more efficient buildings. He was a go-to instructor for Urban Green, traveling across NYC as needed, teaching virtually, training other instructors, and advising on new curriculum. He was always thrilled and incredibly gracious for the opportunity to teach.
“Charlie had a way of keeping students on their toes—mixing humor with teaching in the most endearing way. He made even the most complex topics feel approachable, and his wit kept every class lively and engaging.” — Becca Elzinga, Education Development Manager at Urban Green Council
Charlie’s skill as a teacher was evident in his course evaluations, which were overwhelmingly positive. He was passionate about making the content engaging and adding his own sense of humor to every class. After many classes, students would message Urban Green staff or leave an extra comment in the evaluation about how fantastic an instructor Charlie was. Our partners would even request him specifically to teach a class!
Charlie believed in the power of education to create a more sustainable world and saw every class as an opportunity to inspire the next generation of leaders in the field. His thoughtful, analytical mind and deep respect for his students made him a standout instructor. He was calm, clear, and compassionate—someone who truly connected with and cared about his students.
Charlie didn’t seek the spotlight, but he made a lasting difference—one classroom, one student, one building at a time. He will be dearly missed and long remembered.