Rhett Landon Larsen

Published 8:00 am Monday, June 11, 2018

November 24, 1978 – June 2, 2018

Rhett Larsen, a lifelong resident of Bend and a 16 year member of the Bend Fire Department, passed away in a tragic traffic accident on US Hwy 26 on June 2, 2018, at the age of 39. Rhett was born in Bend, Oregon, on November 24, 1978 to Roy and Marilyn (Johnson) Larsen. He attended elementary, middle and high school in Bend, graduating from Bend Senior High School in 1997. He attended Central Oregon Community College, where he earned two Associate of Applied Science degrees in 1999.

Although Rhett worked at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend for several years as a CNA and a phlebotomist, he was drawn to the fire service. Rhett started as a firefighter for Black Butte Ranch Fire District in June, 2001, and in 2002, the Bend Fire Department hired him as a Firefighter/Paramedic. He was promoted in 2016 to the position of Fire Engineer.

Rhett will be remembered as a wonderful father, husband and friend. He was a dedicated and compassionate firefighter who took great care of all whom he was called to help. Rhett was beloved by his coworkers and his many friends, in Bend, Hawaii, Nicaragua and across the globe. He was an accomplished guitarist, surfer, motorcyclist and snowboarder; he loved baseball, skateboarding, mountain biking, essentially anything adventurous that got him outdoors with his friends. Rhett had an excellent eye for design and built many surf and paddle boards.

Rhett Larsen is survived by his wife, Kristin, and their two children, his parents, Roy and Marilyn, and siblings, Ryan Larsen, Korena Larsen Farris and Kimberlee Lewandowski. Rhett has now joined his brother, Roy Larsen III.

There will be a memorial service for Rhett at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 3 PM. All are welcome.Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.