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In Memory

Brian Ruffing (Ruffing) - Class Of 1988

 

 

 

 

Brian Ruffing - Nov 1969 to Sept 2012

 

Brian discovered the world of wildland fire after his sister came home telling stories about working as a firefighter for the Kootenai National Forest in Montana during the 1988 fire season.  He began his firefighting career working for the State of Idaho in 1989.  The very next year Brian got on with the Forest Service on the Selway Ranger District of the Nez Perce National Forest.  He then moved on to the Red River Ranger District of the Nez Perce, where he stayed as a fire crew leader until 1998.

In 1998 Brian moved to Montana to work on the Kootenai National Forest as a Helicopter Module Leader.  At the end of the 2000 fire season, Brian moved to the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest in Las Vegas as an Assistant Helicopter Manager.  He was promoted to Manager in 2002, switching from the USFS to the BLM.  In March of 2009, Brian rejoined the Forest Service, moving back to Montana, and working for the Flathead National Forest as the Forest Aviation Officer.

Brian passed away in Lander Wyoming on September 12, 2012

Brian's family has established a memorial fund in his honor to aid the families of fallen or injured wildland firefighters.  The intent of this fund is to aid the families and firefighters that have been killed or injured in the line of duty.  Brian's family would especially like the funds to go towards firefighters employed in Forest Service

Regions 1 and 4, and the Nevada Region of the BLM.

Please feel free to share your memories of Brian (fire related or otherwise) on the Memories tab at the top of the page.

Contributions to the fund may be mailed to
Brian Ruffing Memorial Fund
C/O Judy Ruffing
884 Lane 11 1/2
Powell, Wy 82435

 
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10/11/12 12:47 PM #1    

Lori Ruffing (Holloman) (1984)

Please visit Brian's memorial page - www.brianruffingmemorial.blogspot.com to share your stories and see what others have written about him


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