John Robert "Fid" Fidler

John "Fid" Robert Fidler, 63, of Missoula, passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer
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John was born on February 26, 1953, in Longview, WA, to Robert and Juanita (Clendening). He attended schools in Longview and after graduating there he continued his education at the University of Montana. He graduated from the School of Forestry with a degree in Forestry in 1976. He continued his education with taking some graduate classes over the next several years.

John was very active in student organizations while in college including the Forestry Student Association (Club), Section 13, Woodsman Team, Society of American Foresters, school yearbook, and Foresters' Ball. John also participated in various inter-collegiate sports during his college years including softball and volleyball.

John began his lifelong career of firefighting while in college. He started with wildland firefighting and had 40 plus years in with this passion, including numerous years with the Helicopter operations for both DNRC and the US Forest Service which took him to fires throughout many states primarily in the Northwest.
John retired in 2013 after 30 years with the Missoula Rural Fire Department. Not only was Fid an EMT but was also with the HazMat team. Fid was honored with a heroism award by Firehouse Magazine in April 2001 and awarded a Medal of Valor by Governor Judy Marks in June 2001 after having saved a woman's life during a fire in 2000. John also participated in training classes for fellow firefighters and provided much mentoring throughout the years.
John became the lifelong president of the Forestry Alumni Association not many years after he graduated college. He continued this position until the association ceased but only a couple years ago. He then was appointed to the board of the newly formed Forestry Scholarship Association.

John was proceeded in death by both of his parents and leaves behind a sister, Ruth Fidler of Longview, WA. He also leaves behind a brotherhood of firefighters, numerous friends and many forestry students that he has helped mentor over the years.
A memorial tree will be planted in his honor on Saturday, April 30th at noon at Fort Missoula during the Woodsman Team events and Missoula Forestry Days.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, May 7th, at Schreiber Gym beginning at 1:30 PM and then proceeding to the Woodsman Team competition grounds at Fort Missoula, Missoula, MT. Refreshments will be available along with sharing of memories.

There is a John Fidler Scholarship established with the University of Montana Foundation. Please note his name on any donation given in his honor. UM Foundation, PO Box 7159, Missoula, MT 59807-7159.

A special thank you to his doctors, caseworker and nurses with Hospice during these last weeks.

Read John 'Fid' Fidler's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.