 One of the most influential staff members in the history of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum was Harold W. “Hal” Gras Jr., more commonly known as Hal Gras.According to David Leighton, historian for the Arizona Daily Star newspaper, Gras was born in New Jersey, in 1919.After serving in World War II and getting married, he relocated to El Paso, Texas where he received his college degree in broadcasting.