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Hal Flanders 1915 - 2001
Tributes
© Brian Cassell 2001 Simone Swan
Hal Flanders was a gentleman, an impeccable environmentalist, and a peaceful beacon in the region. Seeing him intermittently but never superficially was an immediate and lasting inspiration. May we, touched by Hal, rise to carry on his commitments.
Susan Penney
My Dearest Hal,Today, as your memory and your life's work are celebrated among those who love you; I too, even though thousands of miles away in the southern hemisphere of this big ol' world, will be holding my memories of you close to my heart as I walk along the same path you took some 30 years ago.
This morning, I will hike (as you too have done) to watch the sun rise up over the sacred site of Machu Pichu.
Know that your footsteps lead me and your words guide me today and the rest of my life.
We're going to miss you Hal
Tommy Davidson
When I first started as a professional river guide almost 17 years ago I had the chance to hang out with some very special people. We would do music trips with fairly famous troubadors like Steve Fromholz, Butch Hancock and Jerry Jeff Walker and gourmet trips with chefs from all over the state that prepared gastronomic delights that I can still taste. We did scientific trips with interpreters of all kinds. We had astronomers from the McDonald Observatory during the comet appearance and flora and fauna experts from the University of Texas and other institutions frequently. But the one guy I remember most was a little old sprite with a white beard and light brown jump suit who could absolutely walk endlessly. This guy seemingly knew the name of every plant and animal and had a working knowledge of the geology and history of the Big Bend. This little man would glare at city folks who dared put on make-up during their river trip and would mutter under his breathe about the scourge of Madison Avenue and the major polluters who were ruining our air and water just so women could try to look prettier than they really were. This diminutive guy would talk softly so I had to listen closely because I just knew he would say something interesting that I could use in my boatman spiel. But I was only an amateur naturalist compared to him and listened closely every chance I got. This man loved being outdoors and he loved the boat people and the boating way of life. Would tie a noose and go on a 'lizard rodeo' and capture the critters in a very gently way and, of course let them go. He got down the river whenever he could and I went on many river trips with him. This gentle and soft-spoken human cared more for people and the earth than probably anyone I've ever known and I never heard him speak a cross word to anybody. This man cared deeply for the world and worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for us all by trying to deal with our garbage and he seemed to like everyone. It's already hard to not see him around and I find myself looking for him at the co-op and our office. But now he's in heaven and has probably started saving aluminum, paper and stained glass. I'll miss and the world will miss Hal Flanders.
Sports Editor
Alpine Observer
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