In Marty Hauer’s final days before cancer took his life at the age of 41, the Kent firefighter made sure he did something for his 10-year-old son, Colton, that he had done so many other times over the previous years.
“One of the last things he did was watch his son play baseball,” said Kent Fire Department Chaplain Pat Ellis. Ellis spoke to a crowd of more than 1,200 at a memorial service Tuesday for Hauer at Christian Faith Center in Federal Way. “I don’t know if he could have had it better than that.”
More than 100 Kent firefighters as well as more than 300 firefighters from across the state attended the two-hour service for Hauer. Hauer died June 3 after a year-long battle with thymic carcinoma, a rare type of thymus-gland cancer.
Fifty fire vehicles from departments across the state participated in a processional along Highway 18, from Kent Fire Station No. 75 on the East Hill to the large church just off of South 336th Street.
Family and close friends of Hauer walked through an honor guard to enter the church. A replica of a Kent Fire Department shiny red fire engine served as the podium in the front of the church. Hauer’s firefighting gear from his final ride as well as a portrait of Hauer were displayed near the podium.
The love Hauer demonstrated for his family, work and life in general became the theme of the service.
“Marty lived each day as if it were a gift,” Kent Fire Chief Jim Schneider said at the service. “He would want everyone to do the same.”
Hauer worked 15 years as a Kent firefighter. He previously worked as a carpenter, loan officer and restaurant manager, but nothing compared to being a firefighter.
Kent Battalion Chief Paul Wright shared during the eulogy what Hauer had said when asked what he liked best about his job as a firefighter.
“This is the ultimate customer service job,” Hauer had responded. “You can make a big difference in someone’s life because it’s about life and death.”
Hauer grew up in Conrad, Mont., where he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He moved to Washington to attend Green River Community College on a baseball scholarship, but returned annually to Montana for fishing or hunting trips with fellow firefighters.
In addition to firefighting, Hauer helped develop and promote firefighter fitness programs across the nation in support of the International Association of Firefighters Wellness Fitness Initiative. He worked to try to develop a wellness center for firefighters and police officers in the Puget Sound area, a place that would help to prevent injuries as well as provide rehabilitation for those injured on the job.
“His dream was to develop a regional wellness center,” Wright said. “We’re not quite there yet, but I’m confident we will have a Marty Hauer Wellness Center.”
Wright described Hauer’s fierce determination in everything he did, but said that it was something else that made Hauer a friend of so many.
“It was his kindness and gentleness that attracted me to Marty,” Wright said.
Hauer displayed that kindness and gentleness as a coach in baseball and soccer. Several members of the Kent Little League Minors AAA Marlins wore their jerseys to the service in honor of their coach. The Kent Little League Web site announced the death of Hauer, described as “well known and liked in the community.”
Hauer also played in the Seattle National Adult Baseball Association. The uniform he wore for the Pirates was displayed at a table at the memorial service. Another table displayed Hauer’s fishing rods.
Several friends and fellow firefighters spoke at the service. Linda Angelo, wife of retired Kent Fire Chief Norm Angelo, read a poem called, “Hero.” Teri Nee, part of the administrative staff at the Kent Fire Department, sang, “As Good as Goodbye Gets.”
A video presentation on three large screens showed photos of Hauer as a boy, a husband and a father. There were shots of Hauer fishing, swimming, hunting, playing baseball, riding a motorcycle, coaching baseball and working as a firefighter.
Survivors include his wife, Kris; son, Colton; 9-year-old daughter, Rylee, all of Covington; his parents, Pete and Kathy of Montana; brothers, Monte and Mitch; and sister, Marie.
Near the end of the service, Schneider, the Kent fire chief, presented Hauer’s firefighting helmet to Colton and his badge to Rylee.
Firefighters rang a ceremonial fire bell on display in the front of the church three times to recognize the end of Hauer’s duties as a firefighter — his last alarm.
After the Seattle Pipe and Drum Corps played “Amazing Grace,” Schneider presented an American flag to Hauer’s wife.
Earlier, Schenider told the crowd how much Hauer meant to the Kent Fire Department.
“We’ll miss his smile,” Schneider said. “He truly was one of the very best of the best.”
Donations can be made to the Marty Hauer Family Fund at any Washington Mutual Bank and to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance at www.seattlecca.org.
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