SPOKANE, Wash. — EMT and outdoors enthusiast Andrew Bower, 26, died in a climbing accident Friday as he replaced climbing anchors to make climbing routes safer for other climbers.
“He’s an exceptional example of what we do,” Haley Karnitz, Bower’s supervisor at Spokane AMR told KHQ.
Bower slipped on a patch of moss while at Dishman Mica Hills in Spokane Valley and fell 60 feet to his death.
“He knew how to do his job better than any partner I’ve ever had,” said Bower’s partner Ander Bishop.
Bower’s brother, Aaron, remembered him on a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for the unexpected expenses related to the memorial.
“Roo (Andrew) quickly developed into a kind hearted, servant minded teenager, breaking out of his younger shy self, and engaging his passions for ministry and music,” he wrote.
Bower played guitar at an evangelical church and went on several mission trips to different countries.
After moving to Spokane, Bower became passionate about climbing. He became a certified mountaineer and whitewater raft guide, taking underprivileged children on mountain and river trips.
Finally, Bower decided to pursue a career in EMS, where he could continue to help people.
“He was able to use his smarts, his passion, and his compassion on a daily basis as an EMT in Spokane,” his brother said.
He would have turned 27 on Tuesday. He is survived by his wife, Emily.