Unfortunately, Dr. Zachary Jonas Hall passed away on April 23, 2024, but his nearest and dearest would instead like him to be remembered for how he lived. He lived more than many; this part isn’t sad or tragic. He was such a kind soul with a smile that lit up any room. Zach was a loving son, brother, colleague and an amazing friend. He was a brilliant scientist, skilled gamer and creative writer. He was one stylish dude with a great sense of humour. During his career as a professor, he made such a mark with his unwavering sense of curiosity, inspiring so many students and young scientists. Zach lived by his own rules and although he didn’t get to live as many years as we and he would’ve liked, the contents of those years are inspirational 
Rob Hall says
I’m so sorry to hear this. The loss of a child no matter how old is devastating. Our thoughts are with you all.
Michelle Gardner says
Sending you my deepest condolences during this difficult time, may you find comfort in the loving memories of your loved one
Sarah Gusso says
Thinking of you all as you navigate through your loss. Zach will be remembered fondly by our family. We are here for whatever you need.
Henry, Sarah, Peter, Georgia, Jake, Nicholle, Ben, Vanessa and Hadley.❤️
Don Hoggarth says
So Sorry for Your Loss!
May God get you through the Pain
But know he is in the hands of Jesus
Where he shall Live forever more .
You are in Our Prayers!
Kathleen Baird says
My sympathy
K S. says
I cannot imagine a more difficult loss. One day at a time and my prayers and hope for all of the family and that it is who you have always been as a family that will remain strong and he remains in the conversation always.
Darlene Tremble says
I am so sorry for your loss, thinking of all of you during this difficult time.
Darlene Tremble
Lonnie and Marilyn Whitfield says
Our thoughts and prayers are with Zach’s family as they navigate through this difficult time. Fly high Zack until we meet again.
Greg Goss says
Very sad to lose Zach, he was a wonderful colleague, I was only starting to get to know him
Michelle Millar says
The loss of a young life is truly heartbreaking. Our hearts go out to all of you as you grieve the loss of Zach.
Michelle, Brian, Hannah & Chloe
Molly Hall says
Big hugs to you all. Such sad news to hear and a big loss to the Hall family.
Lots of love from Rob, Molly, Claire, and Thomas.
Donna Achtymichuk says
What a tragic loss! Our son only knew him so briefly but was so inspired by him!
David Shuker says
Sue and I are devastated to hear this news. Zach was a wonderful, kind, original person, and a fabulous scientist. We were so lucky to have had him in our academic community in St Andrews. He will be much missed.
Geoff Alcorn and Carolyn Tucker says
So sorry for your lost. My heart goes out to family and friends who have lost a dear one.
My deepest condolences.
Robert Alton says
Deepest condolences To you and your family Jim.
Victor and Mary Hoggarth says
Our sincere condolences to both you and your family.
Such a sad and tragic loss.
May God help you through this hard time and always.
Montana Bobinski says
I didn’t know Zach well, as a graduate student at the UofA, but I knew those graduate students who studied under his guidance, and if any part of their excellence was due to Zach, then he has an amazing character and a great legacy to leave behind.
The UofA has lost one of its best.
Maggie MacDonald says
Dr. Hall was a beautiful part of our department at the University, it was a pleasure working with a professor like him, he was a light and so unique. I really appreciated his approach to academia, I’ll never forget him!
Dave Hall says
This guy told me the trampoline was totally safe. What could possibly go wrong!?
Margaret Townsend says
My deepest sympathies, so very sad for all your family
Andrew Cavasin says
Dorothy and I offer our sincerest condolences to you and your family. We are so sorry to hear of Zach’s passing. May you find solace in his accomplishments.
Shane Dewling says
Zach will most assuredly live on thru the impact he has had on his family, friends, co-workers & students. In particular, I have seen first hand the impact he’s had on his family. And it is heart warming to see this positivity in light of the tragedy of losing him at such a young age.
Brit Carr says
Zach was so loved, and he inspired so many with his kindness. He will be greatly missed.
Gayle Piat says
My heartfelt condolences to Zach’s family. I lived on the same floor as Zach for several years. We got to know each other because Zeke actually liked my dog Lucy, much to Zach’s surprise. This gave us a chance to chat and get to know each other. I feel honored that our dogs gave us the opportunity to chat – because maybe we wouldn’t have otherwise. I got to know such a brilliant guy, such a kind, funny and genuine guy. I will miss him and remember him. I already miss our chats and feel the void of getting to know him more. (I do know that dill was his favorite flavour and he found a dill seasoning that he said he put on everything!)
Gayle and Lucy
Kate Morgan says
I am so sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you at this time.
Zach made a big impact on my life in St Andrews. He blew us away with his productivity and passion for science, as well as bringing huge amounts of fun. With his radio show, wrestling watch parties, pool playing and nights in the brewpub it was a better place with him around.
Zach was a great friend who will be sorely missed.
William Hall says
My deepest condolences. So sad to hear the news of Zach’s passing. My thoughts are with you. Lots of love from Chloe, Evan and I.
Nora Carlson says
Zach was an amazing person so full of light, good humor, and fun. He made science look effortless and constantly encouraged others. He was a wonderful scientist and even better colleague and friend. He is greatly missed.
Pam Coulthard says
Sending our deepest condolences to all of Zach’s family. We remember this special young man growing up in our community. In the midst of this loss, we will focus on celebrating his amazing life, his gifts and accomplishments. Pam and Chris Coulthard and Family
Margaret Cook says
Sincere condolences to the Hall family, such a tragic loss, but such wonderful memories he created with you. Hugs.
Maria Tello Ramos says
I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember Zach as a brilliant and passionate person. He was always focused, driven, talented, and yet funny and sometimes silly. He will be greatly missed as an academic and as a friend.
Chris Sturdy says
Zach was such a genuine individual. He was an incredible scientist who was curious and knowledgeable about just about any subject under the sun. I missed getting to have him as a graduate student in my lab when he went and worked with Sue Healy (Which was excellent for both Sue and Zach!). I felt like I won the lottery when Zach was hired in the Department of Biological Sciences and that I got him as a faculty colleague. I will miss his enthusiasm, optimism, and our conversations.
Sally Street says
I am so shocked and saddened to hear of Zach’s passing – he was an inspiring scientist, generous collaborator and all round great guy. I and many others in the St Andrews community are very lucky to have known him.
Anastasiya Pasichnyk says
Hello,
I’m one of his students from this semester at ZOOL 372. He was such an enthusiastic professor. Going to his lectures we’d learn about some sort of invertebrate (not my thing) and he’d find a way to make it interesting and engaging. He was the most relaxed prof, in a good way. He’d make his students feel so comfortable. I truly wished I could take another class with him. My best wishes to his family and friends at this difficult time.
Kathy & Brian Knechtel & family says
To Silvija, Jim and Hannah…heartfelt condolences from our family at this most difficult time. Reading these messages-such a testament to Zach’s character, ambition, wit and brilliance! He was a role model like no other. He will be missed and remembered fondly by many. To his colleagues, students, friends and family-hold each other close and remember this exceptional young man💞
Shelly and Steve Errington says
Our deepest sympathy. We are so sorry to hear. Such a wonderful young man to be taken so early in his life.
Nicki and Bill Glassier and family says
Dear Silvija, Jim and Hannah.
We would like to send our deepest sympathy and hugs to each of you.
Going back to Wingham school days , there was lots of fun had by our boys .
Andrew remembers so many good times at the Hall’s home and farm with Zach.
The years sure have flown by and as I read about Zach’s life after Wingham it sounds like his brilliance and fun loving character excelled. You must be so so proud of Zach in his accomplishments and his life journey.
Thinking of you !!!
Heather and John Frieburger says
So sorry, may peace and love surround you!
Jen Hocking says
I met Zach when he first started as an assistant professor at U of A. He struck me as a genuinely kind individual and curious scientist and I was so excited to have him as a colleague and a fellow zebrafish researcher. Hard to lose him so early. My deepest condolences to Zach’s family and friends.
Scott MacDougall-Shackleton says
Zach was one of the most brilliant students I ever taught. I remember first meeting him in my hormones and behaviour class here at Western and how well he did. I’d suggest that he might be interested in a paper and then he’d show up in my office the next day having read it and offering amazingly insightful comments. I think he got 100 in that course -a grade I have not given out since.
I was thrilled when he chose to do an MSc with me and have very fond memories of working together. I still have a music play list heavily featuring the pixies that we listened to on repeat while spending long hours in the lab together. We had many long conversations about science and life that I still recall clearly. I was so thrilled when he decided to continue in academia and pursue a PhD.
Though we sort of lost touch in recent years I have nothing but fond memories of working with Zach. He was such a postive, curious, and enhusiastic soul.
My sincerest condolences to Zach’s family.
David Pritchard says
It has taken a while to find the words to write here. I lived and worked with Zach for several years in St Andrews and he was one of my best friends during my PhD and after. Everyone who met Zach saw he was a brilliant scientist, but as his friend and flatmate I saw how fully he lived all other aspects of his life.
Zach always had a project that he would inevitably rope me into. We had a podcast (spinning of his own radio show), we made an award winning YouTube series playing the game “High School Dreams”, and he tried many times to get me into professional wrestling (unsuccessfully). He was incredibly generous, bringing me home a gift from every conference or visit. He clearly worked hard but he always dedicated time for having fun as well. I can still hear his booming voice laughing through the wall as he played games with people online. There are so many things he introduced me to that I still love to this day. I cannot imagine who I would be if I had not lived with Zach.
As we moved to different continents we didn’t speak as much as I now wish we had, but we still kept in touch. We played games online. He sent me his self-published novel. He spoke at my wedding. And a few months ago I introduced him to my new daughter. Even far away, Zach was a huge part of my life, and I always assumed there would be time to reconnect further, maybe even work together. I still cannot believe we won’t have that chance.
Zach was a truly special person, the smartest, dumbest, goofiest and most genuine friend anyone could ask for. I am honoured to have known him. I hope his family know I am thinking of them and that they know how much we loved him.
Joscelyne Barry says
My heart goes out to the Hall family.
I have nothing but sweet memories of my times with Zach. I can still hear him laughing at all the mindless things we’d joke about. I consider myself a better person to have known him. May he rest peacefully.
Manan Upadhyaya says
I am honoured to have met him, and it breaks my heart to hear of his passing. He was a pioneer in the field of neurobiology. I wish that I could have spent more time with him – he was truly an extraordinary, visionary person with such a kind and selfless personality. I send my prayers and strength to all family and friends.
Amanda Moffat says
Please accept my sincerest condolence. Thinking of Zachary’s family and friends during this most difficult time. ❤️
Joan and Steve Chamney says
I am so very shocked and saddened to hear this news. My heart hurts for his family and all who knew and loved him. Such a remarkable young man; who certainly left his footprint in our world. Condolences to Silvia, Jim and Hannah.
Carson Loveless says
Condolences to his family
Shawn Baird says
Jim, Sylvia, an Hannah:
My deepest condolences for the loss of Zachary. I hope you can all find respite through cherished memories.
Deepest regards,
Shawn Baird
Smithers, BC
Shawn Baird says
Silvija, Jim and Hannah:
My condolences to you all.
Shawn Baird
Smithers, BC
Michele says
May the sorrow you feel in your heart lighten by the love that surrounds you.
Deepest sympathies for your loss.
♡
Marco, Sara, and Michael says
We are very sorry for your loss. Zach used to live in our same building and were meeting every morning before going to work. Zach was always nice with myself, my wife, and my newborn baby. I cannot forget his smile when he was walking his friendly dog.
Mélanie Guigueno says
Zach was a rare scientist and colleague who merged brilliance with kindness and compassion. Zach and I met at Western when we were both graduate students and we recently re-connected when I visited the U of Alberta. We were so proud of each other for securing academic positions… I wish he could have continued shining his bright light within his department and beyond. We miss you Zach!
Guill McIvor says
Zach and I shared an office during our time at St Andrews, and even after all this time the news of his passing has hit me hard. He was a truly remarkable scientist and character, and it is telling that so many of the messages here share memories like my own. I was always amazed (and borderline scared) of Zach’s intelligence, he somehow seemed to have not only read every paper, but understood their strengths, weaknesses, and had all this information close to hand at a moment’s notice. It felt like he could talk with authority and humour on any subject. But balancing that intimidating intellect, Zach was also the type of person whose warmth, smile and laugh seemed to have a gravitational pull. I can still recall so many of his stories and anecdotes from that time, and must have listened to each episode of the Fact Naturally podcast many times over. For anyone to lose their life so young is tragic, but to lose a person of such rare brilliance feels especially cruel. There are not many people like Zach in this world, and I am very grateful to have had the chance to know him, if only for a short time.