Thad M. Dahl passed peacefully at his Vashon Island home on January 19,2004, with family and friends at his side following a two and a half year battle with esophageal cancer.

Thad was born in Sedro Woolley, Washington on April 5, 1965, to Loren and

Joan Dahl of Bow. He graduated from Burlington-Edison High School and

obtained his AA from Skagit Valley College. In addition, he attended many

schools for firefighting, including the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg,

Maryland.

In January of this year, Thad was promoted the the rank of Fire Chief on

Vashon Island. Previously, he had been Battalion Chief of Training and

Safety for Vashon Island Fire and Rescue where he had served for nearly six

years. He began his fire service career at Skagit County Fire District 5 (Allen) where many of his immediate family still serve or have served. He was active in the fire service for over 20 years, having served as EMS Coordinator, MSO, Director of Disaster Planning and firefighter for Snohomish County Airport Fire Dept.; as a Lieutenant with the Sedro Woolley Fire Dept. Thad was the past Chair of the Washington State Fire Training and Safety Officers Group and served on numerous fire training and educational committees. His credentials allowed him opportunities to instruct fire

science at all levels in the State system including the Washington State Fire Academy.

Thad traveled to the United Kingdom as a Rotary International Ambassador,

representing the fire service from the Northwest and Canada in 1996. He was

invited by the New York State Assn. of Fire Chiefs to teach a class on

thermal imaging at their 96th Annual conference in 2002 and was again

invited to speak in 2003.

Thad was a member of the Washington State Fire Chiefs Assn., King County

Training Officer’s Assn., and was a very active member of Gilda’s Club of

Seattle as well as many other service organizations. Thad was widely

recognized for his fire service leadership in both the Skagit Valley and on Vashon Island.

Thad displayed boundless energy and enthusiasm for his two life

passions—family and the fire service. Even his devastating illness could not

hold down his desire for teaching. He remained active to the very end. His

unsinkable spirit will be an inspiration to fire service leaders for decades into the future.

Thad leaves his parents, Loren and Joan Dahl, his brothers and sisters, Loren Jr. and Karin Dahl, Londa and Mike Damon, Terry Dahl, and his beloved niece and nephews: Anna Dahl, Kirk Damon, Steven Dahl, Ryan Dahl and Jason Olson. He also leaves a very dear friend, Mike McEvoy, who kept everyone posted during Thad’s long battle with cancer as well as many wonderful

friends on Vashon Island and in Skagit County. His extended family also

includes his firefighter colleagues throughout the State of Washington, the

U.S. and England.

Thad was confirmed in the Catholic church by Father Paul Magnano on Christmas Day. Two memorial services will be held. The first will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2004 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church on

Vashon, the second on Saturday, January 24 at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Burlington. Friends may call on Thursday, January 22 from 7 to 9 at Island Funeral Service Chapel.

Thad was especially passionate about providing opportunities for preparing

enthusiastic volunteer firefighters for a career in the fire service. In

observance of his final wish and in lieu of flowers, Thad requested a donation to the Thad Dahl Memorial Firefighter Training Fund. Donations may be sent to the fund at Vashon Island Fire and Rescue or deposited directly into an account at Washington Mutual Bank, Account #488-235375-2 or wired to 325070760.

The family would like to thank everyone who has so generously given of their

time to assist Thad and his family through this trying time.