On behalf of all of us at the MALS Program at Dartmouth, please accept our deepest condolences for Matt's unexpected death. We are stunned and saddened by this loss, and his many friends, fellow writers, and professors wish to express how much Matt meant to all of us. Please let us know how we might help to commemorate his life, as well as to offer his family whatever support and comfort possible. He was very, very loved.

Dear Barbara:

Believe me, if I knew your address, I wouldn't use this format to pass on my heartbroken condolences to you. He was your son, and I mean no disrespect nor pretension when I say that, in an obviously far lesser measure, he had begun to feel like mine too. I loved the young man, admired him, and was always cheered by his presence in my life. This news is all but unbearable to me; I simply can't imagine what it must be to you. With every ounce of my being, I wish you healing, though it will take a while even for one like me, who knew him so much less well and so much more briefly.

Ever,

Sydney

Mrs. Gerhardt - please call me. I am so sorry for your loss. Matt was an inspiration to me. I will miss him terribly.

Brendon Kearney
415-640-4757

Matt's laugh and sense of humor balanced with his authentic creativity and passion to connect with people have undoubtedly served as an inspiration for me. The shock of all this is still too fresh to comprehend. Your family is my thoughts and prayers.
Hope Always,
Cait

This news is an overwhelming shock. Matt was an amazing presence full of energy, smiles, and stories. To those who knew him longer than I, I cannot fathom the hole left behind. He will be missed by all.

Always,
Rico

Matt was one of the most friendly and open people I met in Hanover, and I am so grateful to have known him. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Amanda

May Matthew rest in peace.
We are with you, Matthew's family.

I began the MALS program with Matt and had all of my first year classes with him. His confidence and kindness were wells of support for me. I have thought of him often and will remember him fondly. My thoughts are with your family.
Blessings,
Nicole

I am stunned and enormously saddened to learn of Matt's passing. Matt was a brilliant, vibrant person with an effusive personality. My thoughts and prayers are the entire family and everyone else who loved him.
Janet

Matt,

We met when you were about to graduate yet your smiling face, quick wit and positive spirit stayed with me. For all the times that we hung out, laughter echoed through the wall of the mansion, canoe club and the hove.
The memories and moments that we shared will be etched in my mind forever .
I still have that great picture of you that you wanted for your book and it tells a story of its own...

Matt you will be missed immensely.

My condolences, love and support are with your family.
-Tanvi

I'll always remember his smile, and his inspiration.
I remember bumping into him once on the sidewalk in front of Spaulding Auditorium. He'd just finished work at the Canoe Club, and we chatted a little about a class we were both taking at the time. I asked him what he would be doing for his thesis. He passionately announced that he would be writing a novel. Any doubts I had about what I would be doing completely disappeared at that point.
Thank you, Matt. And Peace.

Matt was fierce friend and an incredibly strong and loyal colleague who pushed himself and those around them to reach their greatest potential. Matt was never content to be average, but constantly would strive to excel and encouraged others to do the same. Matt found the joy in even the most ordinary tasks and forced us all to live in the moment and cherish the short time we had together.
My condolences to his family, his friends, all those he has touched forever. Your spirit and enthusiasm for life has permanently shaped me and others irrevocably.
My thoughts and prayers are with you,
Jackie

Matt loved to laugh. It was as easy as breathing to him. He had a way of making you feel like you were the one who had cracked the joke (even when it was him). His sense of humor was sly and generous and open to everyone. He drew you in with that laugh, and with a river of funny stories about the various scrapes he had gotten himself into and the people that he had known.

He wrote from his heart. His first novel, the semi-autobiographical "Blue Glass," was written in a three-month blaze and it captured the unconscious pain that comes along with intimacy, and he didn't shy away from taking on hard troubles in his own life through his writing.

He told me once that he thought his purpose as a writer was to persuade the reader to treat people with more kindness and take them on their own terms. That seems like an apt description of the way he tried to live his life, too. I will miss him dearly.

In the all-too-brief time I knew Matt, I considered him a valued mentor and beloved friend. He was an integral part of the MALS community and an important part of my Dartmouth family. His friendship was one I treasured and hoped to carry on beyond our time in Hanover. Matt was a genuinely good guy-- he would do anything for anyone, and his kindness knew no bounds.

I met Matt almost two years ago to the day, in January of 2008. I know I am a better man because I knew him. He was a great writer, and even greater friend, and I will miss him dearly.

My prayers are most certainly with his family, and I cannot express how truly sorry I am for your loss.
CWT

This is unbelievable news, and the sadness that will be shared by all who knew Matt will be breathtaking.

Matt was so reflective and honest, that I felt as though I knew more than I deserved to know about his joy and pain--and the journey of self-discovery that yielded such amazing works of prose. It should not be over; it is wrong with me, and my name is not the word that deserves to end this.

Matt was such a kind soul and always good for a laugh. I feel fortunate to have known him-- he will be missed.

My deepest condolences to your family. He was a wonderful person, and shall be missed deeply.

Dear Matt,

You and I started at MALS on the same day. I remember us at the introductory meeting looking at each other like "what did we just get ourselves into." We had many classes together, you ALWAYS gave your point of view, always brave. I think my insane love life was your personal entertainment, you got a kick out of joking about it, it never ceased to make you laugh. It's going to be weird if anyone ever calls me Keeks because I will always think of you. Even though you went away, you are in many of my favorite MALS stories. As a writer you will probably love that, the infamous writer in stranger than fiction situations and stories; living on forever.

Matt was very simply a delightful man in every way: charismatic, helpful, committed, interesting, perceptive, intelligent, and beautiful don't begin to cover it. Knowing him made me a better person, and I am deeply saddened to hear we have lost him.

Matt, you will be missed. Your kind and gentle manner complimented your intelligence and wit. My sincere condolences to your family and family of friends.

Matt and I met in the sauna at the Dartmouth gym... I was never his professor, but over the years, we happened to run into each other there. I was always pleased to see him sweating after a workout, because I knew we'd have another great conversation... about writing, the film industry, the publishing industry, Dartmouth gossip, trying to get in shape (me) and staying in shape (him). He was a great conversationalist and, despite our limited universe of the sauna (I don't think I ever saw him OUTSIDE the sauna), I considered him a friend. We emailed many times, and I wanted to have him take my MALS screenwriting course, partly because I always enjoyed our talks so much. I figured he'd liven up any classroom (which I'm sure he did.) He was a great guy. I'm stunned and saddened that such a beautiful person could have died so young. Please accept my deepest condolences.

I knew Matt from MALS. With his quick humor and generous spirit, he was a truly lovely person to know. He is missed.

I don't think I have ever met another person as full of life and love as Matt Hull. He brought such joy into every room he entered and made every situation, no matter how trying, so much more entertaining.

My love goes out to his family during this difficult time

I too knew Matt from his years in Hanover and Dartmouth. My shock in nothing compared to what you his family are experiencing. As you know, he was a good person and will be missed. Take comfort that he positively impacted many individuals during his life.

Like everyone else who has submitted thoughts and memories of Matt here, I was shocked and deeply shaken to hear of Matt's death. I knew Matt from the Dartmouth M.A.L.S. Program, where we met in the winter of 2008. The last time I saw him, some months ago, we had breakfast and talked, caught up, spoke about our writing. He was excited about his work, excited about his move to Savannah, excited about throwing himself into his writing.

I have many fond memories of Matt, and he will be dearly missed. To speak of his warmth, his generosity, his sharp humor, his talent -- to do this would only be telling everyone who knew him what they already knew.

Matt, I'll miss you as a friend, and as a writer.

Matt was a blessing to all who knew him. He could be counted on for many things, but two that I will remember most about him were his tireless smile and endless passion for writing the story. He was a joy and an inspiration, and will be missed by many, myself included. May peace and comfort find you in your time of loss and may the memory of his life and love be with all of you and all of us - always. My prayers are with you.

So sorry to hear that such a wonderful person has left us. For all the pain his passing has caused, I am happy and honored to have known Matt. He always made the people around him feel comforted if only through his wonderful humor and unconditional friendship. You left MALS a far better place than you found it Matt! I will miss you dearly.

On a rainy night two Octobers ago, a few of us left our writing class to listen to Matt read from his work in a full room. That's how I see him now: charming, honest, laughing, pulling stories from stories, bringing light to a room.

You will be missed, Matt. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

We remember the first time we saw Matt -- early in 2008, a "snow date" for an Oral History workshop for prospective students. A classroom in Wheelock, a group of students, and among them, no, chief among them -- Matt Hull, handsome, interested, creative, passionate about learning and writing.
The semester began; happily, Matt was in the class, an electrifying presence through the weeks that followed. Afterwards, we'd see him in the Canoe Club, always ready to share with us the direction of his work, interested in ours.
He was an original, a special person. A young man with an abundance of heart and no small amount of soul.
We'll remember him always.

Myrna & Harvey Frommer

Matt had so many qualities that I admired, but the one that I admired most has been made evident by those who have expressed their words and feelings here. Matt had a unique quality of being able to positively impact the lives of so many different people. Aside from being an incredible talent, Matt's caring nature and uplifting spirit will serve as an eternal inspiration to me. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and loved ones. He will be greatly missed.

I am so sad. Matt and I were becoming e mail buddies and plans were being made to visit in Savannah on my trips up and down the coast. Suddenly he is gone and I am so, so sad. Matt was just beginning his writing journey. His sensitive and talented writings will be missed in the world. My condolences to his family and friends,

I had the pleasure of meeting Matt at the Stone House Writer's Retreat last October. A wonderful, vibrant, talented, funny, and sensitive man, I am truly saddened by this news. I hope the family will accept my sincere condolences and know that he will continue to be celebrated and honored, even by those whose lives he touched briefly.

I also met matt at the stone house writer's retreat. i adored him instantly and i was never sure why....there was just something about his face that was so open and bright. we ran together and laughed together and he was wonderful. i had hoped he would come to california and visit us. i will think of him often.
my prayers are with his family and friends.

I hope it's some comfort to Matt's family in the face of this shocking tragedy that he had such a wide circle of caring friends. I met him on Naushon last fall and was immediately struck by his personal magnetism--in fact, we both had the feeling we had met before. The thought that we won't meet again is terribly, terribly saddening. Matt has left a legacy of good friends and good writing. He will be missed by many.

My deepest condolences to Matt's family. Although I'd not seen Matt recently, I will always remember him as an incredibly kind soul whose love and generosity touched me (and many others) deeply. I recall walking with Matt through Russian Hill in San Francisco one evening several years ago. Hollister, a homeless man who greets folks in the neighborhood, stopped Matt and me to shake our hands. Hollister paused, then pointed at Matt and said, "You have a really nice spirit." Hollister was right. I'll continue to miss Matt's warmth and his extraordinary creative gifts. And I'll cherish images of Matt laughing hysterically at our inside jokes.

Love,
Mike Henry
mikehenry07@gmail.com

What a heartbreaking shock. I have known Matt for nearly 20 years and watched him mature and grow into a remarkable, creative, compassionate man. There was always something magical about him, the rakish smile, the quick intelligence, the utterly blunt, straight-forward honesty about himself and others. He had visited us here in Tampa and I was looking forward to our next reunion...I guess I will have to wait. My condolences, prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends in this tragic moment.

What a shock to hear about Matthew's passing. I knew him in Savannah, and as brief of a time we knew each other, I could tell what a caring person he was. He was special person, who was compassionate, motivated, and kind. I wish that I had more time to get to know him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Jeepers. Thanks for giving me my scarf back,... and everything else. I truly wish your family and loved ones peace.

It is an absolute shock to learn of Matt's passing today. My sincere condolences to the Hull family, as it seems incomprehensible that your vibrant, constantly laughing son and brother is no longer here.

It has been a long time since I saw Matt, but I have thought of him on many occasions. I met him in 1984 at Mo Beard and just had a great time whenever we hung out. He loved watches and music (Sting was a favorite at the time). Even in the 8th grade he had a unique sense of style. Reading all about his work in SF, Dartmouth and Hambridge has made me smile through tears, because Matt was clearly committed to his creative path. His wit and wisdom should be shared by many more, and the loss of his brilliant gifts seems too soon.

The heavens are funnier now, as it is impossible to think of Matthew without seeing his smile and hearing his laugh. Matt is surely continuing his work as a compassionate artist and humanitarian. My thoughts and prayers to the family.