Benjamin Craig (Benjo) Haller died on August 1, 2014 at the age of 27.
Benjo died in seven feet of water off the shore of Eleuthera Island, Bahamas while doing underwater breath holding drills to increase his time under water for spear fishing.
As was so often the case with Benjo he was attempting to exceed his previous best at yet another personal challenge. He was an experienced sailor, and certified SCUBA Instructor. Upon certification, he was immediately hired by the internationally acclaimed Stuart Cove’s Dive Center in Nassau, Bahamas, and was the youngest instructor ever hired by the Center. After working at the Dive Center for a year, Benjo enrolled at the University of Colorado, Boulder; Alpine skiing was everywhere, but sailing was non-existent. Over the course of the next five years, he worked tirelessly to create The Boulder Sailing Club and to have it sanctioned and financially supported in part by the University. Using countless fundraising events, traveling throughout the west picking up donated sailboats and securing the rights to use the Boulder Reservoir, his dream came true. By the time he graduated with a degree in Film, the University was racing collegiately throughout the west.
With an infectious laugh, a diamond studded smile, the good looks of a movie star, and the zest to fill every single minute of his life with adventure and personal challenges; he became a magnet for those wanting to experience life as he defined it. When he was on the water, either liquid or frozen, he was in his element or the world was his oyster.