Randall Haller moved to Whidbey during a challenging time in his life, rediscovered his joi de vivre, and reignited a love once buried.
“It’s a funny story,” he said while we sat in the shade at the South Whidbey Community Center on July 30th, waiting for his retirement party to start. “My wife and I were having difficulties, and we divorced. Since my sister lived on the island for 20 years, I wound up staying here. I made a life here.”
He worked at Britt’s Pickles at first. Then, he worked for a year at Payless. “Those were first my tie ins to the island,” said Randall. Later, he was hired through the South Whidbey School District, with most hours spent at the South Whidbey Community Center—SWCC, where he made new friends as the center’s caretaker and mail currier. Renting property on Cultus Bay Road, he raised chickens and sold their eggs. Randall eventually bought the 4.5 acre property he once rented. Now it has sold to South Whidbey Fire & Rescue—which plans to build a fire station there.
Randall’s egg sales funded his purchase of a marimba, one of the newfound passions he discovered while living in the South Whidbey community.
He said: “I bought my marimba with eggs. I brought them two dozen eggs every week for months.”
Members of the Rubatano Marimba Studio spoke of Randall’s being a part of their musical talent while enjoying fresh-made pizza from SWCC’s pizza oven, built by Eli Adidas, and used over the years for outdoor cooking classes from the center’s Learning Lab Kitchen.
“He’d come in on his lunch hour for lessons,” noted Dana Moffett, founder of the Rubatano Marimba Studio. “We did an egg barter for his marimba. I was first in line for his eggs.”
Lori Wostl met Randall through marimba. At the pizza party, she recalled: “Randall is in our marimba group. He is persistent and determined. Sometimes he’d practice on my marimbas on a night of the week.”
Now, Randall begins a new chapter in his life after just retiring, and finding love once again with his former wife, Julie. The couple married in February of this year. They will honeymoon in Paris this September.
Randall reconnected with Julie in May 2025. “Last year I had prostate cancer,” he said. “During my treatments I started talking to my wife. When I was in Paris last September, we talked and talked and talked. We got back together, and I moved back to our home in Everett that we bought in 2005, a mission-style house. It’s full circle, and such a sweet story. Now it’s the way it should be. We’re trying to mend our family.”
While on Whidbey, Randall cultivated his Canadian French roots by taking classes at the now-closed Northwest Language Academy Cultural Center founded by the late Josette Hendrix, who died in an accident in 2022.
“I worked as a handyman at her school and her garden at Shipki Farms, at the bottom of Heggenes Road,” said Randall. My niece did their French intensive classes for the day, and that’s how I got into it. That’s another tie I had into our community.”
He began visiting Paris in 2018 and has visited each year, except during the 2020 pandemic.
“I stay in the same place—Hotel Du Lys—four blocks from Notre Dame,” added Randall. “It’s a little quaint hotel. The steps are amazing. My son’s gone with me twice. My sister has come. Now it’s wonderful to share it with my wife on our honeymoon this September.”
Julie and the couple’s son Wyatt stopped by for Randall’s retirement party hosted by friends he’s made in the community.
“Here is my beautiful wife! Julie!” Randall exclaimed as his wife walked into the courtyard at SWCC.
Julie, with flowing silver hair, said: “He is happy. You learn that just by being in this environment.”
“I have such a family here,” added Randall. “I’ve grown as an individual. It was easy for my wife to accept me back. It’s bittersweet to leave the center. While working here, I tried to be at others’ disposal. I’ve had health issues and financial issues. I’ve gotten so much amazing support from folks here.”
Among those gathered to celebrate Randall on July 30th:
Gail LaVassar, executive director of Readiness to Learn and the SWCC: “Randall is someone more than a custodian. He’s part of the community. He fostered a lot of relationships, brought people together caring for our campus and for each other. He’s fun. He’s kind. He’s been a joy to have here. We will really miss him.”
Melissa Koch, an artist/architect whose studio is housed at SWCC: “I met Randall at Bayview Hall at an antique fair. He’s an artist. He does prints with seaweed. They’re really beautiful. Then I didn’t see him until I was invited to run summer camps during COVID. Randall was an angel. He set up tables and tents.”
Look for Randall’s sea plant prints on this Instagram site.
Clyde Monma, co-president and key leadership steward of the SWCC, and vice president of the South Whidbey Schools’ Foundation board: “He never said no. I first met Randall when the community center was first running. I’m, like, who is this nice guy? He was in charge of the facility, helping take care of things. He’d do everything. Grass needed mowing—he’d do it. He loved the place. The people. Everyone loves him. He’s so positive, he raises everyone’s spirits.”
Mary Mitchell, family support specialist and South Whidbey School District’s homeless liaison: “He is really the most kind-hearted man that I know. My first impression I had was of such a sweet vibe. He always was super helpful. He would go out of his way to do anything for you. He feels like a brother. He’s a perfect Readiness to Learn partner.”
Other members of the Readiness to Learn Team include a pair of sisters, Ali McManus—co-executive director, and Cailyn Murray—co-executive director and Family Resource Center coordinator.
“Randall lives on the same street as my sister,” said Ali. “One day someone dumped garbage on the road. Sure enough, there was Randall cleaning it up!”
“He goes above and beyond,” added Cailyn. “When marimba is performing, he goes to dance and celebrate.”
Marli Jenkins, founder of Woodhaven High School and board member of the SWCC Campus Stewards: “I’d love to add that Randall is one of those individuals who surprises you—in all good ways! I first met Randall seven years ago when Woodhaven High School moved into a classroom at the South Whidbey Community Center. I remember thinking, that when he was younger he must have played an intimidating position as a football player! Anyone who knows Randall for long knows that he does not use his large stature to intimidate. He has a heart of gold!
“The classroom we moved into at the Community Center with Sound Circle Center (our classroom partner) needed a bit of TLC and we were happy to do the work. Randall was a good cheerleader from the start. He is one of those people who is genuinely interested in those around him and is happy to help and often comes to the rescue with a good idea or simply figures out how to take care of things. Kent Ratekin was one of the early supporters of Woodhaven, and did so much to get the classroom space looking beautiful. I remember him sharing about what a help it was to have Randall’s aid in those early months as we were getting the space ready to move into.
“Over the years as I’ve gotten to know Randall, I’ve learned about his love of traveling and visiting France each year. He speaks beautiful French! We loved it when he’d send ‘picture postcards’ from his travels in France. In addition to being a Francophile, he loves art (and also creating art), keeping chickens, gardening and making quince jam (delicious!). It’s been wonderful to see how happy he is to be married to Julie.
“Randall loves this place we affectionately refer to as “The Center.” Most of us would see the care of the campus of the South Whidbey Community Center as a bit overwhelming, but Randall has not only done his best to keep up with the care of physical space, he has loved and taken care of the people at The Center too! He will be dearly missed and I wish him the very best in his next life’s next adventure.”
Barbara Dunn, a therapist, community activist and singer/songwriter: “since Hummingbird Studio has been here at the community center, Randall has been indispensable. He’s helpful. When I see him in the hall, he pauses to say hello. He’s very kind. He is nice to my dog.”
Joe Whisenand, co-founder with his wife Mary Lou, of the Living Design Foundation programs at SWCC: “And Randall…well he’s been there the whole time that we’ve been there for seven years. He’s always stopping in to say hi and make sure we have everything we need. A super responsive fellow and fun to visit with. And yes, he seems to show up just when we’ve cooked something particularly delectable, and he’s happy to sample and comment. We will miss him. He was a great personality to be around.”
Wishing la belle vie—enjoying the present moment and taking pleasure in everyday moments for Randall’s life.
