BOULDER – Hal Donnelly, one of the longest lettermen to ever serve on the Alumni C Club Board at the University of Colorado, passed away on Friday, Sept. 4.  He was 89.
 
                Donnelly, who lettered three years on CU's swimming team in the early 1950s, graduated from the school with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1955.  Right after he was drafted into the Navy and served a two-year tour before returning to Colorado.  He joined the C Club board in 1964 and was an active member until he died, including several years of service in different officer positions.
 
                "Hal was an active and engaged Alumni C Club Board Member, serving the C Club Board of Advisors for over 50 years," said Kimbirly Orr, the club's executive director.  "I had the opportunity to visit him recently where he recanted what membership and service to C Club meant to him. He regaled stores about the good old days, serving with Frank Bernardi, Bill Harris, and many others.  Hal will be deeply missed by many, especially the Alumni C Club Board of Advisors."
 
                His best events on the swim team under legendary CU coach Roland "Doc" Balch was the breaststroke and the individual medley, where he had several top three finishes over the course of his career.
 
                He was born on June 24, 1931 in Oak Park, Ill., and graduated from Oak Park/Riverforest High School in 1949.  Prior to enrolling at CU, for a brief time he worked a few different jobs, including as a life guard and on the equipment staff for the NFL's Chicago Bears. 
 
                He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Phyllis, daughters, Colleen Dean and Kelly Donnelly, four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sons Donald and Douglas.  After his service in the Navy, he worked as a surveyor, a structural engineer at the Adolf Coors Brewing Company in Golden, and had his own engineering and consulting firm.
 
                A memorial service will be held at a later date when restrictions on gathering sizes are relaxed.  His full obituary can be accessed on-line at https://www.inmemoriamservices.com/obituary/HaroldHal-Donnelly.
 
                Donations in his name can be made to CU athletics at the following link:   www.cubuffclub.com/imo-donnelly.  To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Hal, visit https://www.inmemoriamservices.com/obituary/HaroldHal-Donnelly/sympathy.