Brian Robert Hinkle

Brian Robert Hinkle unexpectedly died while on vacation at Disney World in Orlando, Florida December 31, 2023 at the age of 46. Brian was born first with his twin brother on June 30, 1977 in Superior, NE to Leo and Alice (Workman) Hinkle.

Brian, nicknamed Bob, attended Beaver City School in Beaver City, NE until its closing in 1995 and then was a member of the first graduating class of Southern Valley High School in 1996. He continued his education at UNL for two years and then transferred to Columbia College in Chicago, IL graduating with a BA in dance.

Above all Brian loved his family and especially enjoyed being with all his Wyoming cousins. Because he was so social, he loved to be with school friends and participated in many activities such as sports, movies and swimming. He also participated in drama, speech and band. He was a person who wanted to do it all. His love of sports probably started when he attended his Dad’s softball game with his twin brother at just 3 weeks old.

From the time he was born he was always high energy. Due to being 4 weeks premature, he and his brother stayed in the Superior Hospital for 2 weeks and the nurses teased us about Brian swinging his feet above his head in the incubator. That should have been a sign to us that movement was in his DNA. 

While in Beaver City he attended First Presbyterian Church, 2 different youth groups, cub scouts and participated on the BC Swim team.  In high school, he usually preferred to have someone else drive because he was too busy socializing with people in and out of the car to keep his eyes on the road.

Brian held many jobs as a kid through college graduation. In Beaver City he worked with his Dad and brother painting houses in the summers; he worked at the Beaver City swimming pool as a lifeguard and while attending college in Lincoln continued some summer painting and in Chicago held various waiter jobs.

Throughout his adult life he danced with various companies. Brian danced for Modine and Company for 2 years and The Seldoms Dance Company for 1 year. He performed and collaborated with Matthew Hollis’ Power of Cheer in its conception in 2002 and performed for 15 years all over Chicago and toured the Pacific Northwest with their offbeat, tongue in cheek messages of inspiration and love. He also performed with one of the longest running local dance shows in Chicago, KTF for 10 years. Starting in 2004 until the present he performed with a modern dancing company owned by Rachel Bunting in Chicago called “The Humans.”

In 2004 he became a certified personal trainer. He began Pilates training in 2005, Gyrotonic training in 2007 and added Gyrokinesis training in 2008. He worked at East Bank Club from 2005-2023 and also worked at River West Fitness in 2021-2023. Due to Covid shutdowns, he started his own online exercise company “Quality in Life.” His passion in life grew to helping people live their best, healthy life. He was so good at connecting with people and teaching and building healthy communities. But, with his passion came discipline with some clients, especially his parents; sometimes he’d have to get after us for missing weekly exercise sessions with him. He even started a Cold Plunge Club in Chicago! 

Brian is preceded in death by Grandparents, Robert and Doris Hinkle; Richard and Nova Workman; Uncle, Charles Workman; and Cousin Amber Hinkle. He is survived by his father, Leo and his mother Alice; his brother, Scott and partner Jenny and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He will be missed by so many friends he’s made all over the country.

FAMILY REQUEST EVERYONE WEAR BRIGHT, FESTIVE OR FUN COLORS TO BRIAN'S SERVICE ON THE 27TH!!

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE GIVE TO YOUR FAVORITE CHARITY OR FOUNDATION IN BRIAN'S NAME!!