Hal G. Hardcastle 2/25/1927~12/28/2007 I used to get up every morning and read the obituaries to see if I was still alive. Imagine my surprise this morning when I discovered I had slipped away from my family, friends and all my favorite places on December 28, 2007. I was fortunate enough to be at home at the time surrounded by my loved ones. I'm certain this new trip I'm taking will be very exciting. I've always liked to go to new places. Well it looks like it was the cancers that finally got me, although I fought long and hard.According to the legend, I was born on a dark and stormy night, the only child of Lucinda Mae Olsen and Thomas Harold Hardcastle on February 25, 1927 at Women's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. I spent my adventurous childhood in Sandy. I mooned a lot of trains, played on the beet dump and was even the President of Sandy Junior High. I moved into Salt Lake and graduated from South High in 1945. While at the University of Utah I played a little football, but really enjoyed throwing the hammer for the track team. I graduated with a degree in education 1949 and a few days later on June 16th I married the love of my life Marian Lois Fellows, she always looked great in bobby sox. Together we had three children, Cheryl Groot (Bill), Brett (Donna) and Tom. All three wonderful human beings who made me proud to be their dad. We also have two amazing grandchildren, Cathy and Jon Groot. I hope they know how proud I am of them and how much I love them. I am a teacher. I guess the old adage is true, "A teacher is eternal; they never know where their influence stops." I started out teaching PE at Lincoln Junior High in 1958. I moved to Highland High in 1964 and taught ROTC, health and physical education until 1975 when, with my new masters degree in Education Psychology, I became a counselor. I retired from education 1987. I loved the classroom but felt most fulfilled as a coach. During my time at Highland I was fortunate enough to be able to coach the most wonderful young men in the state including my own son Brett. I coached football, wrestling, cross country and track and field. My sweetest memories of Highland are the days spent on the field with my teams. Hopefully I taught them more than the basics of the sport. The sure taught me a lot. I will miss my many friends and associates; the poker group, the coffee buddies, the fishing and hunting friends, my golf and bowling partners and the many, many parties with so many friends. I will also miss my backyard, my woodworking, the U of U football games and my volunteering. I am a flag-waving patriot and proud to have honorably retired as a Sergeant Major from the 96th US Army Reserve Command at Ft. Douglas after 29 years of dedicated service. My thanks to the doctors who worked so hard to extend my life, Dr. Aslami, Dr. Eyring and Dr. Thorne. Without you and the team at the Huntsman Cancer Institute I never would have made it to my 80th birthday party. To Andrea and Juan of my team from Rocky Mountain Hospice, you're angels, thanks for making my last days ones of dignity and comfort. Finally, to my dear wife, my first love, my last love, and my best love. Thank you for 58 years of travel, parties, and raising our beautiful children. Thanks also for standing by me at the end, I know it was difficult but you were always there. Thank you sweetheart for making me the man I was. I love you