Brian David Hafner

Brian David Hafner passed into the arms of our heavenly Father on Thursday, February 5, 2026, after a battle with aggressive brain cancer. Brian was born in Charlotte N.C. on December 18, 1972, son of Frank and Sally Hafner. After his family moved to Columbia South Carolina, Brian took full advantage of his youth by riding his bike with friends, playing basketball, baseball, football, and as a swim team member. He loved playing recreational league basketball and later softball with his good friends. As a family, they enjoyed many trips with friends out west to go snow skiing which he and his brother Tripp took an affinity to early on as well water skiing back at Lake Murray. Brian developed an astute appreciation for fitness as he ran marathons, mountain bike races, and triathlons through his 30s.

In Brian’s 20s he found a deep friendship and love with his wife, Brenda, and they spent the next 29 years enjoying time on the water, fishing, and spending every opportunity with dear friends and their children at Sunset Beach, Edisto Beach, and Lake Murray. They married on July 8, 2000 and had just celebrated their 25th anniversary this past summer. Brian and Brenda and many of their friends were graduates of Richland Northeast High School. Brian was an avid University of Gamecock fan, enjoying many games win or lose and attended college there in the early 1990’s. Brian always had a significant work ethic and devotion to his job. In his 30s he returned to school at Midlands Technical College where he earned an associate’s degree in civil engineering. He spent the last thirteen years working for the South Carolina Department of Transportation as an inspector. He truly enjoyed his job rain or shine outside and developed special relationships with his co-workers and would talk with Brenda about them often.

Brian is survived by his wife, Brenda; parents, Frank and Sally; brother, Tripp (Laurie); and their children, Jonathan and Matthew. Brian loved his family dearly and will be missed immensely by all of his nephews, nieces, parents, brother and sister-in-law and all of Brenda’s family. Above all, he will be deeply missed by his wife, Brenda and the sweet Labradors they raised over their years together.

Services are being handled by Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the funeral home, located at 3926 Devine Street, Columbia S.C. 29205. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Bethel Methodist Church, located at 4600 Daniel Drive Columbia S.C. 29206.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to the staff at Lexington Medical Brain and Spine as well as the SICU staff at Lexington Medical Hospital, staff of Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital, and Agape Hospice House. Each became very special to the family in many ways.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Coastal Conservation Association South Carolina or Glioblastoma Research Organization.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.