Hal Meyer, born on November 25, 1949, in Washington, D.C., passed away at his home in Edgewood, New Mexico, on December 15, 2024, at the age of 75. He will be remembered for his sharp mind, adventurous spirit, deep love for the natural world, and his limitless stories.
Hal began his working life in humble yet hardworking roles, including as a plumber's helper at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. At 19, Hal sought adventure and applied to the North Carolina Outward Bound School in Asheville, North Carolina. He was awarded a scholarship to attend this outdoor adventure and strength-building school. The experience taught him what he was capable of while instilling a sense of respect and stewardship over the natural world.
Following his time at Outward Bound, Hal traveled west with his close friend, Mike, to New Mexico. His first experience in New Mexico was backpacking in the Pecos Wilderness, a trip that left a lasting impression on him. He fell in love with the area and decided to make Albuquerque his home. It was there he met his first wife, Linda, and they had one son together, Eric.
Hal found work as a draftsman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Abiquiú, New Mexico, where he developed a passion for computers and technology. In his 30s, he returned to school at the University of New Mexico, earning a bachelor's degree in computer science. After earning his degree, he worked for Cray Research and Silicon Graphics, where he contributed to advancements in supercomputing. Later, he worked as an independent contractor for both Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratories.
An adventurer at heart, Hal enjoyed backpacking and fly fishing in the American West. He was an avid rock climber, scaling formations at Carderock, Seneca Rocks, Yosemite, and the Shawangunks. His passion for exploration extended to the skies-he earned his pilot's license, a testament to his curiosity and drive to experience life from every perspective. Hal obsessively planned the details around his adventures, creating custom topographic maps, weather charts, and waypoints to inform his group of all the important details.
By 1999, Hal discovered a passion for music. He picked up the snare drum and joined several music groups, including the First New Mexico Drum and Fife Corps and the New Mexico Territorial Brass Band. It was through these bands that he met his second wife, Lisa. He particularly enjoyed participating in Civil War reenactments, dressing up as a Union soldier, and playing reveille to wake the troops.
Hal's connection to animals was profound, and his pets-Smokey, Ginger, Chelsea, Emily, Max, Tori, Dos, Piglet, Snuffle, Gorilla, Rover, Isabella, and Toad-were cherished members of his family. His deep respect for nature and love of animals was evident to all who knew him.
Hal is survived by his wife, Lisa, and his son, Eric (Asako). He was a father figure to his stepchildren Stephani (Adam), Jennifer, and Alex (Jonathan), who remember him with love and gratitude. He is also survived by his sister, Janet (Ed). His intelligence, resilience, adventurous spirit, and boundless storytelling touched everyone he met.
Hal's favorite quotes were:
"The sky above, the mud below. Wind and rain, sleet and snow." - Tom Russell
"To be nobody-but-yourself - in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else - means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight." - E.E. Cummings
"The Tractor Habit: Making the world a better place one implement at a time."
A celebration of life will be held in the summer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or the North Carolina Outward Bound School in Hal's honor.
Visits: 153
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors