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Hall Newbegin Obituary
Nov. 16, 1967 - June 3, 2020
Hall Newbegin, who was born and raised in Portland, passed away at the age of 52, Wednesday, June 3. Hall graduated from Riverdale Grade School, Wilson High School and Vassar College. In 1991 he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he lived for 30 years.
Hall had an enormous capacity for joy, his passions were genuine, unabashed and infectious. He had a sophisticated dry wit, was well-versed in classic films, and possessed a formidable knowledge of music, but his passion was the great outdoors. He brought his unfiltered life energy and joy to hiking and the wilderness. Hall's deep love for the natural world became his vocation as well, when he founded Juniper Ridge, which makes essential oils and fragrance products that are derived from natural plants. His life was dedicated to inspiring wilderness appreciation and bringing the fragrances of the outdoors into the indoors through his products.
It was only recently that Hall was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Degeneration, known as FTD. FTD most often attacks persons aged 40-65. In Hall's case the disease began with the typical symptoms of increasingly inappropriate social behavior as well as extreme changes in personality, both of which are easily mistaken for drug addiction. As the disease progressed there were abrupt mood changes, recurring outbursts of anger as well as an extreme lack of judgment. These kinds of behaviors of FTD victims become so difficult that the victim leaves behind him a string of broken relationships. In the final stages there are speech difficulties, tremors and loss of muscle control which puts FTD victims at an increased risk of fall related fatalities. Sadly this was the case for Hall. He fell headlong down a flight of stairs breaking his neck. After neck surgery he experienced a pulmonary embolism and cardiac arrest.
Hall is survived by his daughter, Jane Newbegin; his parents, Anne and Ed Newbegin; his siblings, John, Katherine and Claire Newbegin; two nieces, Sky Newbegin-Knopke and Ann Newbegin; as well as his former wife, Laura Boles. On June 8, 2020, a small gathering, due to Covid restrictions, was held in Hall's honor in Mill Valley.
Those who wish to make a donation, in the memory of Hall Newbegin, for the further public education of the symptoms of Frontotemporal Degeneration may do so by mail to:
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration
2700 Horizon Drive, Suite 120
King of Prussia, PA 19406
or at theaftd.org or the wilderness preservation organization calwild.org
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Milena Novy-Marx
May 1, 2025
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
Elizabeth
October 21, 2023
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
Michele Dryden-Pratt
August 27, 2023
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
Bevan Lockwood
February 23, 2023
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
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Tina & Bill Brown
June 6, 2021
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
Eric T. Jones
February 28, 2021
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".
Joy and Ken Brown
August 15, 2020
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.
Jo A. Weinstein
July 25, 2020
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.
Mary-Kay
July 8, 2020
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)
Heidi and Gerald Fox and Wendy and Peter
July 4, 2020
Dear Newbegin family,
We were devastated to learn of Halls tragic passing. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Bill & Tina Brown
July 4, 2020
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
Richard Steinfeld
June 21, 2020
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
Geoff Fishman
June 21, 2020
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
Mimi & Mike Williams
June 16, 2020
saddened to hear of this. Our thoughts are with you and the family.
Mark Woolley
June 15, 2020
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
Gerry O'Scannlain
June 15, 2020
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
Joe Angel
June 15, 2020
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
Mary Vail
June 15, 2020
Anne and Ed - I am so sorry for your loss - please know that you and your family are in my prayers
Sara Follen Salvi
June 14, 2020
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.
Ted Gentner
June 14, 2020
Anne, Ed, John, and Katherine, I am so sad to hear of Halls passing. You have my deepest condolences.
Ted
Karen and Scott Feuer
June 14, 2020
Dear Anne and Ed,
So sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Scott and Karen Feuer
Ed Richman
June 14, 2020
So sorry to see his obituary. I have fond, positive memories of Hall. My condolences to the whole family.
Ray Jubitz
June 14, 2020
Dear Ed and Anne: So sorry to read about your son. Our prayers to you and your family.
Ray & Nansie
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