In Memoriam...

Family, friends pay tribute to missing climber
Paul Marck - The Edmonton Journal- Monday, October 24, 2005

EDMONTON -- Adventurer, dependable partner and co-worker, prankster, fearless outdoorsman. Those were the words friends and family members used Sunday to describe Darryl Dow, an Edmonton paramedic who disappeared last month while on a mountaineering trip southwest of Canmore.

Dow, 40, went climbing by himself in early September on Mount Assiniboine, a 3,618-metre peak along the Alberta-B.C. boundary. Dow last checked in with his partner, Susan Tremblay, on Sept. 7. In the days that followed, a massive ground and air search was launched. It turned up nothing.

There were tears and laughter at a memorial service Sunday as nearly 300 people, including many of Dow's colleagues from the city's Emergency Medical Service, filled the theatre auditorium at the Royal Alberta Museum. A multimedia presentation outlined Dow's life from childhood to his recent climbing adventures. Many of the sensational photographs Dow took himself while on his alpine travels.

His youngest sister, Janis, said his courage and zest for life inspired her, starting from when they were children growing up in Kilarney, Man. "He was always curious, talented and charming," she said, choking back tears several times. She said her brother's adventuring spirit was apparent beginning from his days as a Boy Scout. He could learn anything from reading a book and trying it out.

When he became a paramedic in the early 1990s, he loved the job, but was equally passionate about outdoor life, which he took every chance to enjoy. His EMS partner, Steve Gormsen, said Dow liked nothing better than to hike, climb, ride his bike or play volleyball. He relished every chance he had to get to the Rockies, either with experienced climbers or rookie adventurers. "I think Darryl really thought of himself as an ambassador of the mountains," said Gormsen.

Susan Tremblay's tribute to her partner was read by her children, Beau and Erica. "He was thoughtful, he was mischievous, he was funny, he was smart," she recalled.

Dow was never afraid to try new things. He took up soccer in his 30s, and admitted he was often the worst player on the field. It never stopped him from enjoying himself.
© The Edmonton Journal 2005

Other details not mentioned in above article:

City Chaplain as MC - very good at putting into words how difficult it is not knowing what happened, and wondering why this happened.

Mike Harroun read Dale Golding's e-mail tribute - both did a very good job (at reading and at writing).

Music Selections included -
"Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day
"Time of Your Life" by Green Day
"Lost Together" by Blue Rodeo
"We'll Meet Again" by Johnny Cash