Hernan Diego Daguerre
April 18, 1973 - September 29, 2011
Obituary
Hernan Diego Daguerre lived more in 38 years than most can do in a century. He was a devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend as well as a gifted communicator. Hernan will be remembered for his passionate enthusiasm and his confidence at embracing life’s opportunities and challenges, while enriching the lives of everyone around him.
Hernan died Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011, from injuries sustained in a car accident near his home outside Seattle, Wash. He was 38 years old. His death is a sudden and tragic loss to all who knew him.
Hernan was a bright and eager student of the world, born in Córdoba, Argentina, on April 18, 1973, to Maria Cristina Del Boca and Brig. Hernán A. Daguerre, a brigadier, aviator and aeronautic engineer in the Argentine Air Force. His dad’s occupation took the family around the globe — developing Hernan’s ability to adapt in any setting, his command of language, and a lifelong curiosity for people and cultures.
After graduating cum laude from the University of Maryland College Park, Hernan built an impressive career in marketing and communications — working for and advancing world-class consumer brands including Monster.com in London; MTV Networks in Miami, Fla.; Nike in Portland, Ore.; and T-Mobile USA in Bellevue, Wash., where he was serving as the director of external communications. An incredible communicator, Hernan could effortlessly pick the right words or phrase in Spanish or English. He always had a point of view and an articulate way of sharing it.
“I’ve never met anyone with such a passion for life and career,” said Reid Walker, vice president of corporate communications at T-Mobile. “He was not afraid of a challenge — in fact, he thrived on it. Hernan leveraged his significant talent and multifaceted career to help bring T-Mobile to a whole new level. I feel a great loss without him in my life.”
Hernan’s passion for life was inescapable and infectious — especially his love of sport, which helped him make a quick and positive impact at Nike. His friend and former Nike colleague Brad Amis recalled that Hernan enjoyed intense debates about his favorite teams and athletes, especially his fellow countryman Diego Maradona. “Hernan insisted that Maradona was the best player in the history of soccer, period,” Amis remembered fondly. “It was as if Pelé didn’t even deserve to be discussed in the same league.” Those who loved him know that Hernan was always right, even when he wasn’t.
Hernan also shared a great appreciation of music. He played the guitar and the drums and sang. Friends recall him as a real competitor at Rock Band and Guitar Hero. He was outgoing with undeniable swagger. Yet despite his big personality, he was also a sensitive person with a romantic view of life. “Hernan was the first person who would open the door for an elderly woman or give up his seat for someone else,” recalled his friend, Kellie Leonard.
More than career, sport or music, the absolute greatest passion of Hernan’s life was his wife and soul mate, Jean, and their children.
Hernan married Jean Marie Settle of Indiana on Dec. 30, 2004, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After a three-month whirlwind romance that began online and spanned three continents, Hernan proposed to Jean in Paris as their boat cruised past the Eiffel Tower on the river Seine at sunset. “All the lights suddenly went on and I was in awe — in awe of this man I loved and this moment I could have never imagined,” recalled Jean. It was her first time in Europe.
Hernan and Jean’s marriage was full of love and romance, but they also faced hardships together. Becoming a dad was a great ambition and, ultimately, a great joy in Hernan’s life. After years of struggling to start a family, their son, Lucas, was born Oct. 18, 2009. Ten months later came the news they were expecting another child. However, just a short time after receiving this happy news, Jean was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer.
Hernan lavished his attention on Lucas and was loving, supportive and strong for Jean as she battled cancer while pregnant with their daughter. A healthy, six-pound baby girl, Gabriela Hope Daguerre was born on April 24, 2011, just as the couple moved into their new home. “It’s been a busy time and we’ve hardly had a moment alone,” said Jean. “But Hernan told me that raising our children together was the most romantic thing to him.”
Jean and Hernan’s family story seemed just beginning. Hernan appreciated what he had and was confident in what he had to offer. He lived and loved fully. He gave of himself freely.
Hernan is survived by his wife, Jean Marie Daguerre and their children, Lucas and Gabriela. He is also survived by his parents, Brig. Hernán A. Daguerre and Maria Cristina Del Boca; two brothers, Gonzalo Agustin Daguerre and Gastón Matías Daguerre; and two nieces, Agustina and Camila Daguerre.
A memorial service will be held Friday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Bonney-Watson Funeral Home on Capitol Hill in Seattle, Wash. Visitation will commence at 12:30 p.m. prior to the service. A memorial trust fund for Lucas and Gabriela’s education is being established. In lieu of flowers, gifts to this memorial fund would be greatly appreciated. For more information and to contribute, please contact Brad Amis (brad@p202.com or 503-432-7719).
All my love, hope, and prayers go out to Hernan, his family, and his close friends. May you all be blessed with peace in knowing his beautiful soul is still very much alive – alive in the people he has met and touched, alive in every space and time he has traveled, and alive in a new world we have yet to experience. To Jean, Lucas, Gabriela, and Hernan’s immediate family – The grace of you being a part of Hernan’s life is what made him the man he became and you all should be so proud.