Public memorial Sunday for fallen Bend firefighter

(Update: Memorial service for Larsen on Sunday afternoon)

A public memorial service is planned Sunday afternoon at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds for fallen Bend Fire Department firefighter Rhett Larsen, the agency announced Tuesday on the family’s behalf.

Here’s the full statement:

“To honor and remember the fallen Bend Fire Department firefighter, Rhett Larsen, who died in a tragic vehicle accident last Saturday, there will be a memorial service at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds on Sunday, June 10, at 3 PM.

“The Bend Fire and Police Departments are collaborating to plan a meaningful service in the finest traditions of the American Fire Service, at all times honoring the wishes of the immediate family.

“The Bend Fire Department is deeply grateful to those who have sent their condolences and support. The memorial service will be open to the public, as a dignified and fitting way for our community to bid farewell to a dedicated firefighter and friend.

“For those who wish to help support the Larsen family, there is an account established for this purpose. To donate, go to https://www.gofundme.com/rhett-larsen-memorial-fund. Please note that this is the only authorized donation site for the family.

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Earlier story:

A Bend Fire Department procession took place Monday down Highway 97 to return home a fellow firefighter killed Saturday evening when his motorcycle struck a large bear on U.S. Highway 26 on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, throwing him into the path of an SUV.

Oregon State Police reported the SUV driver was flown to a hospital with serious injuries.

Troopers and other emergency personnel responded around 7 p.m. Saturday to milepost 80 on Highway 26, OSP Capt. Tim Fox said.

A preliminary investigation showed a Harley-Davidson motorcycle operated by Rhett Larsen, 39, of Bend was heading east when a large bear ran into his path, Fox said.

Larsen was unable to avoid the bear and struck it in the eastbound lane. He was thrown from the motorcycle and was struck by a westbound Ford SUV pulling a utility trailer.

The SUV, driven by Margaret Sweo, 57, of Oregon City, left the highway and rolled onto its side, Fox said.

Larsen suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Sweo was taken to a hospital by Life Flight helicopter. The bear died in the collision, Fox added.

The crash and investigation closed the highway for nearly six hours, with ODOT establishing a detour for part of that period.

ODOT and the Warm Springs Police Department assisted in the incident.

Larsen was returning home from Portland on his motorcycle when “a large bear crossed directly in front of him,” the Bend Fire Department said in a news release.

Battalion Chief Dave Howe talked to NewsChannel 21 Monday about how he met Larsen 24 years ago – a typical on-the-job incident for Howe that pointed Larsen in his future direction.

“We went out on a call for a rock climber who had fallen over here by the river, and came across this 15-year-old kid who had a broken leg and was on a ledge,” Howe recalled.

“We got him off the ledge and took him to the hospital. It was Rhett. That incident propelled him towards the fire service. He was as positive and upbeat then as he was his whole career.”

Larsen was hired by the department in October 2002 as a firefighter/paramedic and was promoted to fire engineer (apparatus operator) in the fall of 2016, the agency said.

“He was a creative soul with a compassionate heart, an intelligent and well-loved team player,” the department said. “Rhett lived life to the fullest, and he loved his work as a firefighter/paramedic.”

“The Bend Fire Department family misses Rhett deeply, and we are grateful for the generous and heartfelt outpouring of love and support from our community,” the release concluded.

On the department’s Instagram page, the agency shared the sad news “with heavy hearts.”

“A respected leader, he will be deeply missed,” the department said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

An Instagram post to the bendfirefighters account said Larsen “was not only an exceptional firefighter, he was a loyal friend, respected mentor and loving father. The loss of such a fun-loving, energetic soul is felt deeply by both our department and our community.”

Several firefighters left Bend early Monday for The Dalles and returned with Larsen in a procession that drew crowds along the roadway in Redmond and again in Bend Monday afternoon.

Former KTVZ anchor/reporter Nina Mehlhaf, whose husband is a Bend firefighter, said in a Facebook post that Larsen “has two amazing young kids, loved surfing, snowboarding, motorcycling and being outdoors.”

“He just fixed up the surfboard that hangs in my daughter’s room.,” Mehlhaf, now with KGW in Portland, wrote. “It’s a sad day. A blink of an eye. A bear? Can’t believe it.”

A GoFundMe page to assist Larsen’s family has been established at: https://www.gofundme.com/rhett-larsen-memorial-fund and a page offering other ways to help the family has been created at http://bendfirefighters.org/rhett/