Brent Christopher Hurley

BCH, the experts expert skier, out-of-bounds snowmobiler, and unpredictable golfer died suddenly, Tuesday, August 27, 2013.

Brent (or B as most of us called him) grew up in Hinsdale, IL and graduated from Elgin High School.  He went on to unexpectedly graduate from Western State College (now a fancy university) after enjoying nine glorious years in the authentic, Colorado ski town of Crested Butte.  He lives on as a legend in "The Butte".  Surely, the CB Marshal's office can now breathe a sigh of relief. 

He was so well traveled, beginning with following The Grateful Dead throughout North America.  He often liked to reminisce a special month-long trip to Europe, often chuckling about skateboarding in front of the Louvre.  He especially loved the mountains anywhere, the Oregon coast, and sometimes spoke of retiring to Fiji, Amsterdam, or Florida.

Just to baffle his friends and family, B graduated defiantly from Rosalind Franklin University-Chicago Medical College with his Master's degree in pathology.  He worked as a pathologists' assistant for ARUP Laboratories at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, where he was known as "the music man".  His eclectic taste in music brightened the lab (and the whole hospital).  He was loved for his laid-back and patient demeanor with the entire staff.  If a co-worker was having a bad day he played their favorite tunes to get them out of a funk. 

His fashion spanned the ages and never changed.  There was a certain signature B style we referred to as his uniform; a concert, Cubs, or Bears tee, a plaid shirt (who remembers the red one he wore for at least 15 years?), and loose Carhartts.  Oh, the socks, always long socks no matter the season or fashion. 

He despised brand wars:  "Just shut up and ride it, ski it, hit it, drink it…"  Excepting for a cruel disdain for Oakley blades.  He loathed equally all politicians and never cared for mushrooms or moldy cheeses.  He loved above all music The Grateful Dead and Widespread Panic, evidenced by his chronicle of ticket stubs he cherished.  He adored hummingbirds (claimed to make the best nectar for them), the smell over Kebler pass, Aspen trees and pizza from Secret Stash.  Notable dislikes were nosy people, non-alcoholic beer, and pop music.

On Earth Day 2006, I married my one true love.  I fell in love with his mellow, subtly silly, generous and slightly mysterious ways.  I fell in love with the man who spoke so kindly of his mother and loved her dearly.  I fell in love with him the minute we finished putting together the Purple Martin house he had bought his dad for Father's Day.  I fell in love with a guy with a 150-pound bullmastiff named, Sampson.  The first time he met my (our) daughter he painted her teeny tiny toenails with his giant strong man hands (had you ever noticed the size of those paws?).  He was an immediate friend and eventual father extraordinaire to my (our) son, Brady.  He experienced the birth of our daughter, Maren, in 2004 and was forever transformed onto "Daddy".  He took fatherhood on like all things in life, full-throttle.  He was dedicated like no other man, to everything.  He aced his semester finals in a fall morning and attended the birth of our daughter, Teagan, in the afternoon, without skipping a beat. 

We moved to Utah in 2008; the mountains summoned him.  After our family was complete, in perfect Brent-all-or-nothing-style we welcomed our baby boy, Beckett, to the Hurley mix.  B delivered his mini-me himself before the attending physician could make it.  Could this kid emulate his daddy any more?  He had toned down his insane skiing antics (at least that's what he placated me with) and promised to stay in bounds.  He was the most patient ski and snowboard instructor to all of his children:  Brady Gamble of Appleton, WI, Ella Todd Jacobson, Maren, Teagan, and Beckett.  He always wanted them to "tear it up" and believe me, they do. 

Brent is survived by his parents Francis Muno and Jean Hurley Muno. He especially admired his little sister, Dr. Jill Rodis (Brian), with whom he had a close connection. Also, his youngest brother Tyrone Wilson-Muno will miss his snowboarding adventures on his birthday. He will be missed by his siblings Melinda Hines (Jonathan), Dan Muno (Stephanie), and Dave Muno (Colleen).  He will surely be missed by his sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.  He leaves his beloved English Bulldog, Alice and his pet goat, Mud.

He also leaves behind me on this Earth, Danielle Jillene Hurley.  He was my honey, my only true one.  My favorite person, the best thing.  I love you to the mountains and the moon, Brent Hurley.  When he was "in the dog house" with me the quickest way out was a pair of shoes, never flowers.  So…

In lieu of flowers, send shoes.  Just kidding.  Please make a donation to VOA-Utah Adult Detox Services 252 West Brooklyn Avenue SLC, UT 84101

A fund has been established in the Hurley name at Zion's Bank.

We are celebrating my love's life with a wake on Monday, September 2^nd from 6-8pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106

Casual dress encouraged.