Tristan "Danny" Hagerman

By far the closest friendship I've ever had. I think of you every day Tristan. You are the one who empowered me to have the career I have today. I love and miss you my friend.

They say time heals all... I don´t know who they are ... but it they are wrong. It different having your entire world stop yet everyone else keeps going.. we stayed in our bubble of safety as long as we could and hung on for the fight as long as your body would let you. It´s still a horrible disease with not much success since our last studies. I was blessed to know you blessed to love you and blessed to be by your side until your final breath. I´m glad I see you only in my dreams and you will never be forgotten. Almost 20 years go by and I run into people when they hear my last name say hey ! I skated with Danny as a teen. I moved to huntersville and my neighbor was as the one. You will never be forgotten and I hope one day the disease will be figured out so others don´t have to endure the war. I know u wanted to be in the military ... but you were by far a soldier on the front line of Als. We kept the battle close and private and I have to this day for some things are better left unsaid. (You know I´m old now if I understand that.)

You have been in my dreams all week I fell apart today I didn't realize until mom told me it had been 10 years since you've been gone. Uve been my best friend and first boyfriend since I was 17 and I'm leaving my grammar and punctuation like this just because I know it drove u crazy :) at least I've stopped typing in all caps :) I love you and I wish to this day we could have made you better I'm sorry

I was out surfing this morning and was remembering the times we would surf in New Jersey during the winter and it made me smile. It's hard to believe that it has been 10 years that you have been gone. I still miss you my friend.

It's funny how a place or a song can bring a person back for if only a moment. There isn't a week that goes by that I don't think of you or get a tear in my eye thinking about something hilarious that we did. You were more like a brother than a friend. You were taken from us almost 10 years ago, but you are still with all of those who truly knew you. Love you Tristan!

It's been 7 years to the day, and I still miss you so much.

TRISTAN

Years have passed
And I still remember you
I'm blessed to have shared good times with you
Your beaming smile and spectacular wit
Is what I most surely miss
Tristan, you were one of a kind and will definitely be in our hearts till the end of time.

Still Miss ya Tristan!!

Linda,
I miss Tristan so much and i am sorry that i didn't get to make it to his memorial services. But i miss you guys so much. My twins ask about him all the time and i had to tell them he had passed away. I hope you and the family are doing well and you are in my prayers on a daily basis.

Danny,
As one of my few first cousins, I really miss you, and think about you, Linda, and Lauren alot. You were such fun to be around when we were growing up. I always looked foward to being at mawmaw's when I knew you were there, because you always made me laugh so much! I wish I could have seen you more these past few years. You were such an intriguing person. I will miss you and think of you often.
With Love, Your cousin,
Amanda

I am truly saddened by Tristan's passing. I send the family my deepest sympathy. I was a friend of Tristan's at A.L. Brown. He had a gift of brightening the darkest day. Tristan, you will never be forgotten.

When I moved to Charlotte and started a new job, Tristan was the first person I met here that really made an impression on me. He was sweet and funny and tried to make me feel welcome in this new city. I will miss him greatly. I extend my deepest condolences for the family's loss.

My thoughts and prayers for your family. I am a friend of Danny's mom from many years ago. I remember Danny as a beautiful baby boy with a smile that would light up the room.

-To Tristan's Family- I met Tristan back in the Fall of 2001 when he lived with Jason Dulin. Jason and I worked togeteher that fall and I stayed with them in their house for a while,they had invited me to move in. After I came back to Chicago we stayed in touch. We had a lot of fun in NC,he was a really good friend,very funny,and one of the most intelligent young men I have ever known. I understand why he never let on he wasn't doing well from the disease,that was Tristan...I knew of his ALS that fall,but didn't know a lot about it-he chose not to speak of it. I wish I had made it out last fall like I spoke of...he will be missed greatly and if there is ever anything I could do for your family,please let me know. As we get older we realize the few people that are true friends in our lives-Tristan and I spoke of these things,and for me he was one of those people,he was like family. I send all of my love and prayers to you all. Take care of each other,he is greatly missed.

My prayers go out to your family, Tristan. To you Alison, his companion to the end. But especially, my ehart is with Mrs. Mott. It must be a terrible thing to lose your child. I will think of you often.

We are so grieved by your loss. It's such a tragedy to lose someone so young and intelligent and with such a humbling captive disease. Our hats go off to you all for your faithful and loyal care of Danny and the ways you tried to keep him encouraged. I know that it is hard to see that God is in the midst of all this, but take confidence that He is a loving God that will also provide you the strength to heal from this deep wound. May God bless and know that we are keeping you in our hearts and prayers. We love you.

My deepest sympathies. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

My deepest sympathies. I am sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers.

Linda and Lauren, we are so sorry to hear that Danny passed away last week. Our condolences also to his grandparents to whom he was more like a son than a grandson. May the thoughts and prayers of all your friends and family help you through the days ahead. Lovingly,

Linda, You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. He is in a better place now, probably making people laugh with his great sense of humor and wit. Take care of yourself and your family.

Please accept my deepest sympathy. I lived next door to Tristan and Jason in Charlotte. I only spoke to him a few times, once when he was getting out of his beautiful new sports car - (a Porsche?). I could tell that he was so proud of that car. He told me to drop over for a visit any time..That was really sweet since I out-aged him by 30 years. They were good neighbors, and I hated to see them go. I spoke to Tristan's Dad a few times after I learned of his illness. He was so willing to try new treatments. God bless him. I spoke to Alison a few times and was so impressed by her love and energy and positive spirit. She was truly Tristan's soul mate. Blessings to you, Alison. Tristan is always a whisper away. It was also wonderful to see all the visitors next door. Linda and George, I understand how you are hurting. I lost my son, Phil, six years ago and I still miss him daily. He'll always be a part of me, just as Tristan will always be your baby boy. I found that Kindermourn was my saving grace. Meeting with other parents who suffered a similar tragedy was grueling but good for my soul. My heart aches for all of you. God bless you, Sharon Massey

Thank you to all of you who have left condolences for Tristan. He would have been pleased to know so many people cared for him and that he touched so many lives. He never complained or said "Why me?" Those of you who knew him well we be happy to know that he kept his sense of humor till the very end. He never missed a chance to make us laugh even when things were very difficult for him. He continued to work for Microsoft up until a few months prior to his death. Microsoft was a true blessing to him. They were always looking for ways to make his life better and more comfortable. My hat is off to the Microsoft Corporation and to his many friends there.


For those of you who were unable to attend his memorial service we have posted the video we made for him and played at the service on google video:

https://www.facebook.com/xena0056?ref=tn_tnmn#!/photo.php?v=1164662269752&set=vb.1023741547&type=3&theater


We selected music from the muppets - Rainbow Connection (one of his all time favorite shows), A Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop, a song he loved to sing with me when he was a little boy, A song from one of his favorite movies Dr Strangelove - I'll Be Seeing You, and the last song is a tribute to his wife Alison, The Beatles - My Life. We hope you will enjoy watching and that it will bring back fond memories of Tristan with his wonderful smile.

I would also like to thank 3 of his best friends for being there for Tristan, Eric Engel (the tall muscular guy in the video) Don Poush (he is the tall thin blonde with Tristan and he also did the painting of Tristan at the end of the video) and Sean Mayer (the fellow in the surfing picture with Tristan) who was his mentor and friend from Microsoft. Thanks to all of you for all the laughs and memories of you all together. They are memories I'll always hold dear to my heart.


Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers.


Tristan's Mom

Dear Hagerman Family,
I just learned of Tristan's passing. I regret that I was not able to attend his service. Tristan was a great friend to so many! He will forever hold a special place in my heart. He was a good friend who ALWAYS knew how to make me laugh..he seemed to know when you needed a smile the most!! I'll never forget his witty intelect!!

My heart goes out to each of you. I pray that your memories will comfort you in your times of sorrow!!

Karen Carter Swett

Tristan,I shall always hold dear the fun we had together...going to the movies,and dancing at the clubs. You were one of a kind. Sometimes you could make me so mad at you, but then you would always do something to make me laugh right afterwards.(Like the time you made me put my hand in your roommates pet alligator's tank.)I shall think of you and smile as I ride down the road with the Morrissey blasting.

Danny, I'll always remember you as the funniest guy in school! I was heartbroken to hear how you've suffered for so many years! I'll never forget your smile! Thanks for all the laughs! Kim Phillips Vaughn

After your memorial some of us shared stories of you, of better times, of times we could look back and laugh about. I'm sure that's how you'd want us to remember you: with a smile. You will be missed, my friend.

Tristan, you were like a brother to me and it pains me to no end that it all ended so soon. Forever wouldn't have been long enough, but alas all good things must end at some point, it's just so tragic that it was sooner than later. You will forever be in my thoughts, and will always be my brother I never had. I miss you my friend.

You were wild and we had major fun.

never met anyone like you!

-Tristan- you were a great friend with a wonderful sense of humor and a sharp intellect. You will be missed greatly-my love and prayers go to your family now at this very difficult time...

You were dear to me and my son. We loved you, Tristan. I miss you already.