Chastain, 32, who was a graduate from the University and had enrolled in the School of Law this fall, died Friday in a car accident on Deerhorn Road.

According to Oregon State Police, Chastain ran a stop sign at Highway 126, and his BMW was struck by a semi truck. His funeral will be held in Bend on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Bend Oregon Stake Center, 1260 NE Thompson Dr.

Chastain's father, Leroy Chastain of Bend, described his son as "quick-witted" with a "beautiful sense of humor."

"My son was one of my heroes," he said. "I don't know that I could tell you anything bad about Bryan."

Leroy Chastain said his son was devoted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had served a two-year mission in Taiwan where Bryan Chastain learned to speak, read and write the Chinese language. He had hoped to incorporate his experiences with his career in law.

Bryan Chastain grew up in Bend where he attended Mountain View High School and played on his high school's varsity golf team.

"He was an excellent, excellent golfer," his father said, adding that Bryan Chastain had been on his way home from playing golf when the accident occurred.

Bryan Chastain's brother-in-law and friend since high school, Dan Tadlock, said it seemed like his friend could do anything.

"He had his finger in every possible hobby you can think of," he said, adding that Bryan Chastain's many hobbies were a reflection of how passionate he was about life.

Bryan Chastain married Tadlock's sister, Brenda, six years ago, and Tadlock said the transition from friend to brother-in-law could have been tougher if it wasn't for Bryan Chastain's good nature.

"He was a people person," he said.

Tadlock said he has many fond memories of growing up in Bend with his friend, such as the time the two tied a water ski rope to the back of a Subaru and used it to ski around a snowy parking lot at 2 a.m.

Bryan Chastain worked in Eugene at The Shutterbug and was also employed as an apartment manager in the McKenna Estates apartments. His co-workers said he always livened up a day at work with his humorous antics.

"I remember just going home and just talking about Bryan all the time," said Chris Sloan, a co-worker at The Shutterbug. "I just laughed until my stomach hurt."

Sloan said it was easier to list the hobbies Bryan Chastain didn't have an interest in.

"Everything he did, he did very well," she said. "From playing the guitar to speaking Chinese to fixing everything."

She said Bryan Chastain was always handy to fix things in the camera store.

"He was like MacGyver, except better," Sloan said.

Valerie Eitnier, also a co-worker, said she remembers Bryan Chastain taping The Shutterbug's fliers to his clothes, making a paper suit out of them one day when work was slow.

"I just think he was a really happy, funny guy," she said.

Bryan Chastain was also passionate about his education, and Tadlock said he was the first member of his family to attend college.

Jane Gordon, associate dean for students and program affairs at the law school, said Bryan Chastain stood out among other students because he was so friendly and outgoing.

"He was really excited about being in the law school," she said.

Assistant Law Professor Suzanne Rowe said she will remember Bryan Chastain for his fabulous smile.

"We're going to miss him terribly," she said.

Contact the higher education/student life/student affairs reporter
at chelseaduncan@dailyemerald.com.