Submitted by his Wife

Dennis L. Davis‚ ND‚ MS‚ CCI‚ NC
Classification: Career
Rank: Pilot
Date of Death: July 23‚ 2007
Age: 60

I‚ Vicki Vosburg‚ am writing this in love and memory of my husband Dennis L. Davis who died on July 23‚ 2007‚ due to a helicopter accident in Happy Camp just north of Yreka‚ CA. He was a helicopter pilot fighting fires. Dennis was born August 2‚ 1946 in Palm Spring‚ CA to Sally and Ben Davis‚ Sr. He was born with a passion for humans and animals alike. He would give the shirt off his back‚ or food from his hand to any person or animal in need.

He had a zest for life…and all that it offered. He received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1978 and was awarded a Master of Science Degree becoming a Naturopathic Physician in 2004. When he wasn’t fighting fires‚ he specialized in Nutrition and Iridology being a devoted healer who worked closely with me in my store‚ The Herb Pantry‚ in Boise‚ Idaho. Dennis was a master of every trade he endeavored and he had a passion for a variety of things.

Dennis’ career in firefighting actually started as a teenager when he joined his local fire department as a volunteer. He joined the military in 1965 starting out in firefighting‚ but then decided to go to Warrant Officer School to become a helicopter pilot. He was an experienced helicopter pilot flying for more than 40 years including 2 _ tours in Vietnam‚ most of his time there flying Med-Evac. During his time in Vietnam he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star Medal.

He was a pilot flying helicopters for the police department in Pomona‚ CA; he flew tours over & around the red rocks of Sedona‚ AZ; Life Flight for St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise‚ Idaho‚ and finally fighting forest fires nationally.

He was a proud father of his two daughters‚ Tracie and Stacie‚ from a previous marriage‚ and a proud Papa of his three granddaughters‚ Ashley‚ Megan & Amanda.

In his life he dabbled in many things‚ beauty school‚ lock-smith‚ gun-smith‚ painting wallpapering‚ private investigator‚ but he always came back to his helicopters.

In 1994 we met and married. We had a whirlwind courtship and a fairytale marriage for 13 magical years. Together he and I shared a love of life and activities like kayaking‚ camping‚ bike riding and snowshoeing. Dennis was a member of Idaho Masonic Lodge #1 and was also a Shriner‚ active in the Players Unit.

Dennis had planned to make this his last fire season‚ in order to be home full time with me and fully concentrate on our natural health-care business.

We had a ‘thing’ that we did every night on the phone when he was in the field. He would say ‘I love you‚ I’ll see you soon and I would say Be safe‚ my honey‚ I love you.’