Hal Box

Hal Box, award winning architect and educator, loving husband, father and grandfather died Sunday in his home after a heroic five year battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) complicated by COPD. He was 81.

Hal has worn many hats in life and done much for many. In his early years he served in the Korean War as a Senior Grade Lieutenant. Upon completing his service in the U.S. Navy, he returned to Texas to begin practicing architecture and urban design in Dallas. As Pratt, Box, and Henderson partnership his body of work in Dallas includes the Children’s Development Center, Apparel Mart, Quadrangle Shopping Center, St. Stephen’s Methodist Church and Brookhaven Community College, also University buildings in California, Oregon, New Mexico, and Nevada. Additionally he designed residences and urban design projects in Dallas and Austin. During those formative years as a young professional Hal distinguished himself as a leader and visionary in his field.

His role as an educator and mentor formally began when he was recruited to start a School of Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Texas at Arlington in 1971. Three years from inception, due to his leadership, the new school was accredited. From that position he moved on to become Dean of the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin in 1976. He brought it to life and established a national presence for the school. This was a position he held for 16 years. He is remembered by students and friends alike for the happiness, spirit, and enthusiasm he brought to everything he did, and to everyone he touched in his life. His favorite professional role was being a mentor to others. As a Dean he was known for his openness, accessibility, and willing support given to students wanting to design their own programs and move away from conventional thinking. His many mentees have gone on to start their own firms and make their own mark in the world of design and architecture. Hal’s lasting imprint is in their work and in the unique, inspired, and poignant exchange that can only happen between a dedicated mentor and a truly seeking mentee. Former mentees felt Hal’s loyalty and dedication to them years after leaving school.

Hal also contributed to his profession by co-authoring The Prairies Yield, Reinhold, 1962 and The Work of Ricardo Legoretta, UT Press, 1990. He was also the author of Think Like an Architect, UT Press, 2007. His passion and twelve years of field research on Mexican plazas is the basis for the book, Mexican Plazas: Open Space in the Heart of New World Cities, scheduled for publication by UT Press in 2012. Hal is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, he holds the highest award of the Texas Society of Architects, and served on the National Board of Directors of the American Institute of Architects and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. In 2003 he received the Distinguished Alumnus award of the University of Texas.

Hal and his wife Eden spent thirteen years in San Miguel de Allende where they continued to share their love of the Mexican culture and architecture and their many friends. Upon returning to Austin he continued his work on Mexican Plazas with co-authors Logan Wagner and Susan Morehead. In April 2011, the School of Architecture honored Hal in dedicating and naming the School of Architecture courtyard the Eden and Hal Box Courtyard. During that celebration he was also named Dean Emeritus, a singular honor of distinction bestowed by the University of Texas that he deeply cherished.

Hal is survived by the love of his life and wife of 35 years, Eden. His four surviving sons and their families include Richard and Laura Box with granddaughters Amelia and Elena of New York, Kenneth Box of Austin, Gregory Box of Dallas, William Johnson and wife Maria Vittoria and grandsons Thomas and Oliver Johnson of Siracusa, Italy and his one daughter Kate Youman, her husband Rick Youman and granddaughters Haley and Hannah Youman. He is also survived by his older brother EO Box and wife Ginger, and his niece Diane Box and nephew Elgene Box.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. J. Dudley Youman for providing the best of care and most loving attention possible in these difficult years. All of the staff at Texas Oncology could not have been better in each of their areas, especially R.N. Michele Janowski. In all of his many visits there his spirits were always lifted by the kind attention he received. The family also deeply appreciates the support and tender care provided to Hal and family members by Hospice Austin in his final days.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 13, 2011 at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 301 E 8th Street, Austin.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood or sending contributions to Hospice Austin in Hal’s name.