(CNN) -- Friends and family planned a memorial service in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday for Thor Hesla, who died in Monday's attack on a luxury hotel in Afghanistan. Friends describe Thor Hesla as a "passionate believer" and "larger than life." Hesla, 45, loved a game of ultimate Frisbee, a motorcycle ride and a great adventure. Friends say he found no adventure greater than helping people. He set off for another adventure in October, this time to Afghanistan  to work with the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, to help build civil society. "Thor Hesla was a passionate believer in what is possible in the world ," said a statement posted online by Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, a friend of 20 years.
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Atlanta native Thor Hesla, 45, died Monday in suicide bombing of Kabul hotel
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In e-mail to friends, he said Afghan capital had "astonishing beauty"
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Memorials planned for U.S. contractor in D.C. and hometown of Atlanta
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Taliban claims attack which killed seven at hotel frequented by Westerners
Six days after Hesla arrived in @placeholder, he had e-mailed details of his new surroundings to his far-away friends.
Despite the violence wracking the nation, Hesla described @placeholder as a city with potential and "astonishing beauty."