Brad Coyle

1952 - 2021

Brad Coyle

Surrounded by family and friends, Brad Coyle, the "Silver Fox", passed away peacefully on Earth Day, April 22, 2021, after 68 years of mischief, service and adventure.

Brad was born August 6, 1952, in Rocky Hill CT to parents Edwin J. and Mary Beth Coyle. In his early life he became deeply embedded in the counterculture, involving himself in shenanigans of various kinds, not the least of which was attending Woodstock in 1969.

Brad came to San Francisco in 1977 in pursuit of music and new horizons. Settling in the Haight Ashbury, he worked odd jobs to support himself while studying guitar and exploring the wide open world of California in the 1970's. He developed an insatiable hunger for politics and current events, and was always the advocate for progressive causes of all kinds.

In 1983, Brad became an early member of the Solar Center Inc., joining this pioneering solar energy construction firm as a crew foreman. Over the next few years, he installed solar water heating systems on commercial buildings across the Bay Area. Brad became a skilled craftsman, combining his passion for alternative energy with his natural leadership ability.

Brad was introduced to whitewater rafting and other outdoor pursuits through Outdoors Unlimited, the cooperative adventures program at UCSF. Over subsequent years he participated in countless expeditions, taking him to Baja California, Alaska and throughout the American West. One of his favorite haunts was the hot springs in Saline Valley California.

Brad joined Environmental Traveling Companions in 1987. This nonprofit group provides outdoor adventures to people with special needs. Brad served as Director of ETC's sea kayaking program for ten years, sharing his love of the outdoors with hundreds of participants. Trip alumni warmly remember him as a competent and inspiring group leader, improving many a campfire with his guitar and singing prowess.

Seeking more lucrative and stable work, Brad began a medical career from scratch and completed a nursing degree at College of Marin in 1997. For the balance of his work life, he held a variety of staff roles at a number of Bay Area hospitals.

While working at Marin General, Brad met the love of his life, the beautiful and amazing Torhalla Dabalos. They were married in 2019 and managed to squeeze in a remarkable number of adventures in the too-short time they had together.

Brad's final work assignment was at San Quentin State Prison, where he joined the nursing staff (not the inmate population!) in 2015. His friends were impressed that he should choose such a challenging work venue at age 62, but that showed Brad's true spirit. He proved to be not only an excellent clinician, but also a wise and compassionate professional working with a difficult population.

In 2019 Brad was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. Despite a dreadful prognosis, Brad showed great courage in maintaining a positive mindset throughout the next 19 months. He greeted each morning by saying "it's a beautiful day", and exemplified how to make the most of a terrible situation.

Brad will be fondly remembered for his ready humor and deep empathy for others. Always the avid explorer and raconteur, Brad was a person who made friends wherever he went. A man virtually without ego or artifice, he was seen by all as an engaged citizen, role model and good buddy.

In addition to his wife Torhalla and her two daughters, Annika and Hanna, Brad is survived by sister Candace Coyle and brother-in-law Mark Jaworowski of Sarasota Florida, and also sister Catherine Grenier of West Hartford CT and her two children, Kyle Grenier and Colleen Coyle.

Donations in Brad's memory can be made to the Brad Coyle Far Flung Adventure Fund at Environmental Traveling Companions (etctrips.org). This fund will provide scholarships to underserved people to join ETC's various adventure programs. Nothing would bring a bigger smile to Brad's face than knowing that deserving people are enjoying the magic of the outdoors in his memory.

We will all miss Brad so much, but we can always call his spirit to us by asking "What would Brad do?"