David Seymour 1939 - 2014

We are sad to announce the unexpected passing of David Seymour, husband of Aly Seymour, on May 11th at age 74. Dave ("Straight Arrow") was born in Prince Albert, Sask. and grew up in the small sawmill village of Molanosa, 50 miles south of La Ronge. At 17 he left home to join the PPCLI as a paratrooper, and in 1961 he signed on as a Smoke Jumper for the Saskatchewan Fire Control Branch. From there he decided to become a pilot, and after training took on a helicopter pilot position with Athabaska Airways flying for Mr. Floyd Glass.

On October 1st 1974 Dave was piloting a helicopter being used to maintain surveillance over a fleeing vehicle whose occupants were armed and extremely dangerous and were holding a policeman hostage. The aircraft was struck in the fuel line by a bullet fired by the escapee, narrowly missing him. Dave brought the helicopter down safely, returning to the scene shortly after, showing bravery that was acknowledged by the RCMP.

In 1980 Dave began working for the Govt. of Saskatchewan Northern Air Operations as a Bird Dog pilot. He moved on to a Captain's position flying Tracker #5 for many years. Dave's other great love was his motorbike, the last one being a Harley that was nearly as loud as the Tracker! But as soon as the sun came out in the spring so did the Harley.

In preparation for his retirement Dave and Aly bought a small farm in central Alberta in 2001, and began raising sheep. Here Dave could indulge in his lengthy fire pit stories, and put on his old man Halloween mask to scare the dogs in the dark. In 2004 Dave was forced into retirement by Northern Air Operations, and within a year or two began working as a Commissionaire. Up until recently he had been working full time as a prison guard for the Rocky Mountain House R.C.M.P. detachment.

Dave will be especially missed by his wife Aly, step-children John (Melissa), Paul, Sarah (Jamie), Rachel (Brad), sons Kory and Kelly, granddaughter Shelby, other relatives and many friends. Dave will be cremated with a Celebration of his Life to be held after the fire season in early Fall.