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I want to thank everyone who came to my brothers memorial service. My family could not have asked for a more beautiful moment. My brother would have been so proud to see us all come together in his honor. He will will live in our hearts forever. God Bless You.

I LOVE YOU CHRISTIAN !!!!!

Thank you Jim & Brenda for this beautiful website. I'm glad we all have a place to go to with our thoughts and memories of Christian. And thanks also to Christian's students for sharing your feelings so honestly. I know that Christian really cared what you all thought. The Psychology Dept is a lonelier place without him. I keep expecting to see him around the corner, walking really fast with a 32 oz drink in his hand, hurrying somewhere. Boy do I miss him! There is a real void but I celebrate the gift that his life was by carrying on.

Hi Brenda,

Thanks so much for putting this all together for Chris. I only found out today (October 3rd) that Chris took his life. I am in a state of shock. Chris and I go back to 1980 or so when we were doing the gay scene in San Diego. Then in 1985 he asked me to volunteer running a support group at the San Diego Aids Project. Shortly after that I filled his very big shoes (for such a little guy) as the Volunteer Coordinator at The Project. Working with Chris was incredible. We were trail-blazers and he was right out in front leading the charge for compassion and understanding and against homophobia, AIDS-phobia and bigotry, all with that adorable smile of his.

We didn't get to see each other much once he moved to L.A., but we kept in touch through the telephone. We even stole a weekend away together to Catalina to reminisce about the previous 15 years or so. One of my husband Mike's and my favorite memories with Chris is when he was applying for a position at Santa Monica City College. He spent hours with Mike, who was a professor at a local community college, on what to expect in the interview process. They'd role play a bit, and of course, Chris was flawless. Needless to say, he nailed the interviews and got the job.

And now fast forward to the present day. Grief, anger, confusion, a profound sense of loss. I know he is in a better place. (We were both raised Christian Scientists and shared some interesting byproduct beliefs from that experience.) I know he was tired of suffering. I know he wants us not to suffer either. But as you said, he wants us to be real. And he, more than almost anyone whomever existed, knew what it takes to grieve the loss of a loved one.

I am going to do my best to stay real and begin the grieving process now. I will miss this wonderful man.

Thank you again.

Joe

I just heard about Professor Hart's passing today. I am devastated by this horrible and unfortunate news. Professor Hart was a truly entertaining and intelligent teacher. He was one of the first teachers I signed up for at SMC and he made all the students feel comfortable from the first day. Best regards to his family, friends, and fellow students. RIP.

RIP Dr. Hart

You were always so alive, happy, and bigger than life, that it's a shock to find out that you're gone. You touched the lives of everyone around you and were an inspiration to me. You were always there with a smile for your students, even if it was just to chat. Thank you for being my professor. You will be sorely missed. God bless you.

Dr. Hart was my favorite teacher I had at SMC. Completely engaging, fascinating, passionate, goodhearted...always wished I'd had an opportunity to know him personally. Will always be in my heart.

I just heard the news today from another Professor. I was coincidently featured as a highlight student on the web and spoke of Dr. Hart. She thought I was speaking of him because I knew of his passing, when really I just spoke of him because he sincerely touched my heart. He was the best teacher I've had at SMC, and one of my top teachers in my path of education. He had a demeanor about him that was extremely engaging, and you couldn't help but love to listen to him speak. It is because of him that I sought out counseling and got help with my panic attacks. He was an amazing person, and your family is blessed to have known him on another level.

I'm in the same class as Yorda, and I also heard about Dr. Hart's passing yesterday. Truly, his passing is a great loss to the SMC community, and the world at large. Dr. Hart was a very compassionate, entertaining and brilliant teacher. His lectures were always very inspiring and interesting. It was as if he had an inner light that shone through when he spoke. I would imagine that this was true of his interactions in the world at large, too; that his light shone to all he spoke with. My condolences go out to his family.

I was just going to email Dr. Hart about his PNI work, as online colleagues of mine are delving into research about positive visualization and art therapy. Dr. Hart was, hands down, one of the most dynamic and exciting professors I have ever had. I started at the SMC website to track him down again, as I lost an email reply from him a few years back when I was doing my own masters level research. When I found the news about his death, I was stunned and deeply saddened. Dr. Hart was such an inspiration, so challenging and yet so personally encouraging about my going into the art therapy field. Far from where I am in Detroit, there is an empty place in my world now. Blessings on him and his family.

I was just thinking about Professor Hart today. Remembering his beautiful spirit and incredible kindness.

I took Dr. Hart's class as a prerequisite for a masters program in psychology. I hardly knew anything about psychology at the time and his infinite enthusiasm for the field was a huge inspiration and to this day when I think about my roots in psychology, he is the face that shines brighter than the rest. I just found out today about this wonderful man's passing and I can't express how much of a loss I feel for the world, as this person, who I only knew for a brief 3 months, touched me in such a deep and profound way. He wrote a letter of recommendation for me for the program I am currently in and I could never have thanked him enough. I just wish I could have told him all of this.

I can't believe I am just finding out about this. Christian Hart was THE best professor I have ever had, and though I did not know him personally, I know he was an equally amazing man. I'm so shocked and sad, there are no words that can describe it. He cared so much about his field, and he made me want to become a psychologist. I will forever be grateful that I got to spend a semester in his class. RIP Dr. Hart.

I think of you Chris every single day. I love you with all my heart. We'll be together again. ALL IS ONE AND ALL MY LOVE!!!!!!

I just googled Professor Hart hoping to become facebook friends with him and am absolutely shocked and saddened to hear of his passing.

I don't know if my little blurb will help in anyway contribute to healing; I can only hope it will help in keeping this man's memory alive forever.

During the fall or spring of 2003, I had the opportunity to take Dr. Hart's Abnormal Psych class at SMC. For me, it was a prerequisite for my advanced studies in an allied health field. And I'm so glad I had the good fortune of being one of his students.

I have to tell you, Dr. Hart's class was not just 'a class'. It was an impassioned performance of psychology teachings, wit, and unbridled enthusiasm. And he was so rare in this way. Don't get me wrong, his class was no easy grade — I got a B. But he had the sort of coolness and compassion that made him magnetic to students like me. He was the sort of guy you wanted to have as a friend, too.

I came into his class having a bachelors degree, so I already had a frame of reference with regard to Professors and teaching styles. Well, it didn't take long to realize that Dr. Hart was special. I don't mean this as a comparison to his colleagues (because I loved my time at SMC), but I always felt Professor Hart should have been teaching at a famous Liberal Arts school or somewhere on par with the Ivy League. He was that good. I still remember things he said and how he said them. He was easily one of the best Professors I ever had, if not the best.

And that's why, even today, seven years later, I find myself at my computer looking for this man to be my facebook friend.

And that's why this is so tragic. I only wish I could have helped in some way to preserve this great man's life. I only wish I could have told him all this to his face.

Rest in Peace Dr. Hart. We love you and will not forget you.

I knew Christian when he lived in San Diego, we surfed in La Jolla and PB. He told me he was going to become a doctor. I lost track of him and decided to search for a friend that helped me so much and was the spirit that kept me going when I was down. It is indeed a very sad day today to know about this. I know he is around today because in spirit he seemed so close. I love you Chris and miss you.

It's been 18 months since we lost Christian Hart, and rarely a day goes by when I do not think about him. I miss his energy and his generosity of spirit. Those who had the good fortune to be part of his circle are forever changed for the better.

I thought I'd try to find a few old friends today on the internet; Chris was one of them. We were good friends in high school and attended SDSU together. I have so many fond memories of him, of our time together. I can't believe he is gone. He was an amazing person. The comments from others about him doesn't surprise me, because he had an incredible warmth and aura about him and one was lucky to have been a part of that. I am so sad to hear this news.

Chris was one of my first, close friends in High School. We stayed in touch over the years. I would often see him while he lived in, and later on, when he visited, San Francisco. I always figured we'd meet up again down the road. He was always a sweet caring person, with a wicked, mischievous sense of humor. And perfect teeth!

Chris, all your old junior high and high school buddies have missed you over the years, and even more now!

Johan

I found out last night that you had passed Chris. I know you know that I loved you deeply and you will always be my lost brother. I have missed you over the years. I am sorry I did not push you harder to respond to emails and phone calls but I understood it well.

I am happy for the times we did have together. OMG VISION QUEST 1977 AND 78!!! When we spoke last a few months before you passed, it was as if no time had gone by and we were boys again sharing our deepest thoughts. High school would have been so different without you. You pulled me out of my isolation many times and I will always be grateful. You were perhaps the best man I have ever known and the best parts of me owe you some deep credit. You inspired me way back in high school to be the best man I could be. You were the first to direct me to Buddhism and have inspired my practice over the years. Your kindness and compassion for others should have been shared with yourself. You deserved it. I don't want to say goodbye so soon. Thank you my friend for all that you did for so many and for me. I love you. I miss you. Perhaps we will meet again in another life. That would be cause for great joy. Goodbye for now my oldest and dearest friend.

G

Chris, the loss I feel is overwhelming. I don't want this to be real. You were such a big and important part of not only high school to me, but my life as well. You and I had a special relationship, which I am forever thankful for. Those of us who were lucky enough to have you as a friend, are eternally blessed. I remember our special times together fondly and keep them close to my heart — I always will. Thank you, Chris, for all that you gave, all that you were. Until we meet again. Love, Heather

Two years later, now finishing my undergrad over in Colorado...sitting in a basement psychology classroom and thinking of him. My heart cracked that day in early September 2009 when I got the news, and broke a few days later, sitting alone and so confused at his memorial at SMC. The grief that fall and winter was intense, and I learned even more about myself and life in that time than I ever could have in class. The raw, ragged edges have smoothed over, but my heart will always snag when anyone mentions A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. You changed our lives. You are missed.

I just heard this news of Chris' passing. He and I were in drama and musical theater in HS. I had the chance to visit with him at our 20th reunion, and he was surely missed at our 30th — I would have enjoyed sharing our love of psychology (since I returned to graduate studies in counseling psych in the 90's). What a wonderful spirit and kind human being he was. My prayers to his family.

I learned of Chris' death the morning of New Year's Day. 1985–1986 I was in a Master's program at SDSU in Counselor Education. I chose to do my internship with the San Diego AIDS Project. Two amazing, creative, loving and handsome men — Chris Hart and Joe Arnold — were my inspiration. I went on to get my MFT license and have always dedicated part of my practice to the HIV/AIDS community. Thank you Chris.

And thanks to the creators of this website.

Google searches and Facebook have been such a great way for me to find special people from my past. I am crushed to hear that Chris is gone. We had many of our psychology classes together at SDSU. We also used to go out dancing at some of the nightclubs in San Diego. He was so smart and so good. I knew he'd make an impact on lots of people some day. Looks like he did. RIP Chris. College wouldn't have been the same without you.

I was good friends with Chris since he was 18. His smile never stopped.

I am writing because I chanced upon this website. I feel compelled to say a few things. This man Christian Hart must have been such a joy — and still is, as he still gives people pleasure with their memories. I am crying from the heartfelt words his friends and students have to say.

I sincerely wish I had known him. I feel he would have had a profound influence in my life. I feel he had to have been a man that if there were more like him, this world could make a good change. I never met him, but I am so sorry he is gone. And it may seem kooky since I never met him, but I wish he were with us now — he is in the hearts of all good people — to be a good example. I am not certain what my beliefs on the hereafter are, but I know this man's goodness was so powerful that even after his death he is STILL influencing his great goodness to people. Even people like me who never met him. Thank you for having this site for him. You and Chris, together, have given me hope to carry on a while longer. My thanks to you all for keeping him alive to the world.