Obituary: Kent firefighter Ernie Rideout 1955-2012

Ernest Ronald “Ernie” Rideout passed away June 6, 2012 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, of complications related to his multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting bone marrow and white blood cells. He was surrounded by his family, friends, and fellow firefighters.

Ernie was born May 18, 1955, in Bellingham. He graduated from Ferndale High School in 1973. He completed the Bates Technical College Fire Service Training Program.

Ernie joined the Kent Fire Department on Feb. 1, 1978 as a paid, full-time firefighter. Prior to that, he served for more than eight years as a volunteer firefighter for what was at the time Pierce County Fire District No. 1 (Sumner). He spent the next 32 years serving the residents and businesses of Kent, Covington, and King County Fire District No. 37 as a firefighter, firefighter engineer, and as a deputy fire marshal.

After responding to 911 emergencies for 10 years, Ernie transferred from the Kent Fire Department suppression division to the fire prevention division. He served in that capacity, enforcing fire codes and working with local businesses, for six years before moving back to “shift work” and once again riding on fire engines and aid cars responding to calls for help.

In 1999 Ernie became a fire department plans checker responsible for approving the fire safety systems of new commercial construction and remodels. He also served as one of the department’s public information officers during this time, working with the media and residents at emergency incidents. Ernie retired from the Kent Fire Department on July 31, 2010.

Because Ernie’s cancer was determined to have been contracted due to his profession as a firefighter, Ernie’s death is considered to be a Line of Duty Death (LODD). Ernie is the first LODD death in Washington State in 2012 and he will be honored at the 2013 Washington State Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service with any other firefighters who will give their lives for the communities they proudly serve.

Ernie was raised in Ferndale. He is predeceased by his parents, Ronald and Evelyn (Reed) Rideout, and by an older brother, Donald. He is survived by his brother Claude Rideout, Claude’s wife, Mary; Ernie’s brother Stephen Rideout, Stephen’s wife, Barbara; Ernie’s brother John Rideout, and by several nieces and nephews.

Family activities included camping, hiking, and fishing. Since Ernie was the oldest of the younger brothers, he alternated between getting them into, and keeping them out of trouble.

Ernie married Pamela Sue Hahn June 2, 1979, and was a long-time resident of Puyallup. He loved to hike around Mount Rainier and the Olympic Rainforest and was an amateur photographer. He kayaked and rode bicycles. He ran the 12 kilometer Lilac Bloomsday Run in Spokane. Ernie’s pets were his constant companions and often joined him for walks, naps, and latte runs. After he retired Ernie learned the skill of basket weaver and won awards for his intricate Nantucket baskets.

In 1996, after being foster parents, Ernie and Pam adopted their three sons: David Jason, Michael Martin, and Richard Tate Rideout. They enjoyed hiking, bicycling, and traveling to Oregon and the Washington Coast. Ernie taught his boys to ride bicycles and they taught him to rollerblade.

Ernie is survived by his wife Pam, his children: DJ, Michael, and Richard and his in-laws: Shari Hahn, Dean and Karen Radke, Patti Elshafei, Ron and Margi White, and Rick and Rayna Hahn.

Ernie was always willing to lend a helping hand and had strength and grace in adversity. He loved his wife, his boys, his family, his friends, and his pets. He is loved and he will be missed but not forgotten.

Services were on Thursday, June 14, at the River of Life Church, 10615 S.E. 216th St., Kent. Donations can be made to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, PO Box 19023, Seattle, WA 98109 or call 206-667-6124. In Ernie’s memory donations will be used for multiple myeloma research.

Obituary is from Powers Funeral Home, Puyallup.