Public Memorial Service Set for
Former UConn Athlete Brian R. Hall

Brian Hall, a shining example of living each and every day of life to the fullest, went missing on a climbing expedition on Mt. Hood, Oregon, with Kelly James and Jerry "Nikko" Cooke in December 2006. Despite a valiant and unprecedented rescue effort, neither he nor Nikko have been found.

A public memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, February 22, at Highland Park United Methodist Church (3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, Texas). A second service will be held on a later date in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Brian was born on July 17, 1968, in Wiesbaden, West Germany, and grew up in North and South Dakota. From a very young age, his zest for life and winning smile were infectious. He turned each day into an exciting adventure, always testing his limits and discovering new talents. This exuberance often led to mischief, but Brian had the unique ability to quickly turn the sternest lecture into a chuckle with his earnest explanations in his own defense. His boundless imagination was intricately woven into the creative, animated stories he would share with Mom and Dad and the games he would invent to play with his sister. Since he was young, Brian has always felt compelled to rescue and protect the helpless, imperfect or lonesome souls around him. Whether it was the stray pets that he frequently brought home or classmates that were feeling left out—Brian took them in, made them feel welcome and nurtured their hearts.

A natural athlete, Brian excelled in many sports throughout his youth, including baseball, basketball and soccer. His warmth, wit and charm won him the admiration of teachers, coaches and many friends, and he cheerfully entertained his family and loved ones with his playful antics. After graduating from Rapid City Central High School in 1986, he earned a full soccer scholarship to the University of Connecticut, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.

Brian moved to Dallas, Texas, in 1991 to play professional soccer for the Dallas Rockets, before pursuing a career in personal fitness training. Since then, he has earned many licenses and accreditations in exercise science and nutrition. Many of his clients have been with him for more than 10 years, most recently training with him at Performance Playground, where he is the General Manager. Highly respecting his knowledge and trusting his instruction, his loyal clients have been drawn to him for his childlike enthusiasm, as well as his physical, mental and emotional encouragement that has helped them bring out the best in themselves.

A man of strong faith, Brian has a boundless generosity and believes in living a life of service to others. As the coach of the Rhinos youth soccer team, he has helped to transform many timid young girls into strong, confident young women, each of whom fill him with abundant pride. With Brian as their mentor, each game has been a lesson, not in winning or losing, but in sportsmanship, working together, trying your best, and above all, having fun. Brian has also aided countless animals in distress, whether baby birds who have fallen from their nests, the snapping turtle, full of fishhooks, stepping into traffic on Northwest Highway, the feral cat families who he has neutered, tamed and found homes for, or even the local squirrels who he feels just might need an extra daily snack. In addition, he has opened his arms to innumerable strangers who simply needed a hot meal, a warm bed, a heartfelt talk or a kind word, always treating them with grace and dignity.

Brian enjoys travel and watching professional hockey and soccer matches. He finds purpose and delight in each new day and seeks out creative ways to turn everyday tasks into fun games. He has always fed his adventurous spirit through all kinds of physical activity, from cycling, motorcycle touring and rollerblading to running, golfing, snowboarding and surfing. He has a special reverence for mountain climbing, and the focus and preparation that it requires. No one who has witnessed his 12-hour pre-climb training sessions on the Stairmaster with his 70# pack could doubt his passion or dedication. He has scaled Mt. McKinley and Mt. Rainier in the U.S., as well as several peaks in the Andes of South America. Yet the summit of any mountain has never been his goal. Rather, the refreshing solitude, grueling physical and mental challenge, technical expertise, camaraderie with fellow climbers and the serene kinship with nature are what he has always cherished. He has often spoken of his profound respect for the forces that guide him in his ascents, from the support of his loved ones and the promised moon, to the hawk in flight and the renewed peace he finds within himself. And as he nears each mountaintop and steps closer to God, he always pauses to share a humble prayer of immense gratitude.

Brian has forever lived life by his own joyful rules and treats anyone he is with like his own best friend. He loves fiercely, laughs easily, gives selflessly and often declares that "Today is my favorite day." His generosity, humor and compassion will forever serve as an example to all who he has touched.

Brian's father Dwight, mother Clara, sister Angela, close relatives in Germany, other extended family, rescued pets Ducati and Cole, and cherished friends, colleagues and clients miss him dearly and will never forget him.

The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the heroes who have taken part in the prolonged rescue effort. And we extend a special thanks to the citizens of Oregon, Dallas and South Dakota for their gracious kindness and hospitality, as well as to the countless strangers across the globe who have included us in your prayers.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you to consider a donation to one of the following: the Mt. Hood Rescue Fund (Dallas National Bank, 2725 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75219—monies will be used to repay all organizations involved in this search and to fund future Mt. Hood search and rescue efforts), the Drew Bledsoe Foundation (principal sponsor of the Parenting With Dignity program, 730 Capistrano Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901) or the SPCA of Texas (362 S. Industrial Blvd. Dallas, Texas 75207).