Hall Newbegin

As a fellow student at Riverdale School and Wilson, I remember Hall as joyful and funny, and as being well loved by his friends. I am so sorry to hear about his early departure. It is wonderful that he leaves the legacy of Juniper Ridge, enduring love of nature and the outdoors, and many good memories behind. I send my heartfelt condolences to his friends and family.

Warmly,
Milena Novy-Marx

To the family of Hall Newbegin, I was an acquaintance of Hall's back at the Berkeley Farmer's Market in the early days of Juniper Ridge. He made a lasting imprint on me and my son because of his openness, passion for plants (and their aromas), and his joie de vivre. I left the Bay Area 20 years ago and lost track with him personally, but I kept up with the Juniper Ridge products which I still buy today. I am deeply saddened to learn of his suffering at the end of his life. I see that it has been several years since his passing; I send out this fresh reminder of what Hall meant to one admirer, who sends her kind regards to you, his family.
Very sincerely, Elizabeth Downes

Dear Newbegin family, My husband and I were blessed to work at Juniper Ridge the Winter of 2007-8. Hall and his creations were an inspiration to us and led us to become farmers in the Pacific Northwest and awaken our own relationship with Nature. For a soul who gifted so many with his creations to suffer so much breaks our hearts. Love and gratitude to you and yours
Michele & Johnnie Pratt

Hi Newbegins

I am from New Zealand
I met Hal in Byron Bay Australia in Dec 1987
We were room mates at a backpackers for a month
He wasn't looking forward to Vasser, as he knew he wanted to work outdoors even then
I am 56, developed Parkinsons 6 years ago, now progressing to Lewy Body Dementia
Scary time
I have had an amazing life
I still remember the fun Hal and I had all those years ago in Australia

Bevan Lockwood

Anne and Ed , John, Katherine, and Clare,
This must be a sad anniversary day for you all and please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers on this, the first anniversary of Hall's passing. May the memories of his short but meaningful life fill your hearts with joy.
Love and hugs, Tina and Bill

My wife and I are professors and interviewed Hall in the early years of Juniper Ridge. He was so knowledgeable and helpful for us and we thought the company approach and products were wonderful, often buying them for special gifts. We hadn't been in touch for a number of years so we are so surprised and sorry to hear of his health problems and passing. We will remember his kindness, his spirit, his time given to our students, and the important contributions he made to helping people see the importance of biodiversity conservation and connecting people with nature and natural products. Here is a quote from an interview we did in 2003 talking about how he got started with wildcrafting, "One day the idea of doing the soap thing just kind of came to me. I was daydreaming in class, thinking about soaps, and I thought, wouldn’t it be great for soaps to smell like the outdoors. So I started looking into it and there weren’t any. You could buy a sage soap that smells all perfumy and sweet, but nothing like our local black sage that grows on Mt. Diablo here. And so I just took it into my kitchen and started to figure out how to do it myself. And it started out really small-scale, I’d just drive around in the same car out there, and go up into the local mountains and pick...black sage...bay laurel – those were my first two bars".

Though Hall has left this world too soon, may you always hold on to all the wonderful memories you have of a son who not only married and had a daughter, whom he adored; he created a "job" where he could be in the outdoors and discover nature's wonders. He touched many, many people, and will be truly missed.

Just a devoted customer surprised by his passing as I logged in to the store to get my Juniper Ridge 'fix'.- Started buying Halls product at the Danner store in NW Portland many yrs ago and have never stopped. My condolences to the family and his friends.

To all the Newbegins,
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss and the tragic story that lead to your losing Hall. I only had the pleasure of meeting Hall once at Katherines wedding and he struck me as a kind, loving, and generous soul. May the happy memories of the past mend your broken hearts and help you get through this sad time.
With love and condolences,
Mary-Kay Lombino (and Eric and Ezra Steinman)

Dear Newbegin family,
We were devastated to learn of Halls tragic passing. Please accept our sincere condolences.

Our daughter, Kirstin, had her very first date with Hall in 8th grade!! Ed was the chauffeur. Hall & Pat chatted about all they were going to say and do, until they picked up Jana and Kirstin - the boys went in the front seat, the girls in the back seat - and there was silence the entire way to the party. Ed always said it was the most uncomfortable ride ever!!!

Anne and Ed - we can not begin to imagine the heartache you, John and Clare are going through - we are so so sorry. Thank you for your honesty about his disease and education to all of us about it. We are sending you our love and hugs and hope this memory will bring a small smile to your faces.
Love, Tina and Bill

Anne and Ed, you are in our deepest thoughts and prayers. It is unfortunate it took so long to diagnose.

In sympathy,

Rick and Pammy Steinfeld

The epic wit and biting humor of Hall Newbegin merely scratched the surface. His jokes had depth. His charm was disarming. And his approach to the days and nights of our high school years would have made excellent source material for a John Hughes film. Which is all to say: Hall was a terrific friend and simply a great person.

To his family and loved ones, my deepest sympathies.

~Geoff Fishman

saddened to hear of this. Our thoughts are with you and the family.

I just happened to see "Newbegin" in Sunday's paper and read the sad obituary about Hall. The reason the name caught my eye is that I taught Upper Grades Social Studies at Riverdale for just one year (1986-87) as a replacement for Greg Timmons, on sabbatical, and had John in one of my classes, I remember John (and his sister Katherine) fondly as a super, smart and witty student--that year was very indelible to me. I went on to teach 2 more years elsewhere, then worked in law related education for 6 years and then started an art gallery in 1993 and the Wonder Ballroom in 2004. So sorry for your loss, especially at such a tough time in general. Hope you and your family are doing ok. Sincerely, Mark Woolley

Anne and Ed,
What a heartbreak this must be for you all. I am so sorry and will hold you and keep you in my prayers. Your obituary was so well written and the way you told us about Hall was wonderful and enlightening. God bless you all.

Gerry O'Scannlain

Dear Ed and Anne
Im so sorry for your loss and know of no words to express properly how I feel.
I love you both so much and cant imagine how much loss there is to lose a child.
Im here for you as you want to talk.
Susie and I love you. ♥♥ dearly.
Joe

Anne and Ed - I am so sorry for your loss - please know that you and your family are in my prayers

Hello Newbegin Family, You probably won't remember me but I do remember Hall and all your family with great fondness. I taught at Wilson for about ten years, and am just now retiring after 25 years at St. Mary's. I remember Hall as a gentle, engaged soul, and yes, loving the outdoors. I was immensely sad to hear of his passing, but also the horrible illness that he suffered. And the ripples of suffering it must have caused. Prayers for all of you.

Anne, Ed, John, and Katherine, I am so sad to hear of Halls passing. You have my deepest condolences.
Ted

Dear Anne and Ed,
So sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Scott and Karen Feuer

So sorry to see his obituary. I have fond, positive memories of Hall. My condolences to the whole family.

Dear Ed and Anne: So sorry to read about your son. Our prayers to you and your family.
Ray & Nansie