David Wilbur Anderson, “Chief 5,“ 66, of Fort Shaw, Montana, passed away on August 25, 2014. A Celebration of Life was held September 6, 2014, with many loved ones and friends remembering and sharing stories and thoughts of this very special man.

David served as a firefighter/first responder from 1970 and as fire chief/EMT at the Fort Shaw Rural Volunteer Fire Department from 1980 until his death.

David attended the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 1980 and was very proud of that accomplishment and the knowledge gained from attending.

He was also a State of Montana firefighter instructor, EMT, and CPR instructor, always learning and passing along his knowledge. He devoted much of his time to helping other departments recruit and train. He truly loved what he did and did it with such a passion. Never too old to learn, it seemed he was forever taking a class, learning and passing it on.

David’s favorite quote was, “You are a Firefighter. The first time you respond, you volunteer. After that, it is a commitment.”

David was such a social person that he was often referred to as “Our Social Butterfly,” by his family. He was forever stopping to chat with or help someone. He might later ask, “Who was that?”

David was a member of the Classics car club 1966-1972 and was also a member of the Sun River Valley Senior Center. Dave would travel 120 miles a week to pick up past valley residents from Great Falls and take them to Fort Shaw for dinner and cards once a week. When asked why he would take the time to do this, he would answer, “Because I can.” These sweet older ladies were lovingly referred to as his harem.

David is survived by his wife of 45 years, Barbara, of Fort Shaw; daughter, Michelle (Ross) Hopp, of Creswell, Oregon; and granddaughter, Brittany (Tyrel) Feeler, of Great Falls, Montana.