Calvin "Gene" Wahlstrom

Calvin “Gene” Wahlstrom HUNTSVILLE – Calvin “Gene” Wahlstrom, 61, passed away tragically on September 1, 2008, in an accident doing what he loved to do most in life, fighting wildland fires, just north of Reno, NV, in his Tanker 09. Gene was born to Leonard and Maxine (Shurtz) Wahlstrom on October 14, 1946, in Ogden, UT. He graduated from Ben Lomond High School in 1965 and attended Weber State. After High School, he enlisted in the Navy and served on river patrol boats in Vietnam. Gene married Joyce Ashbaker on September 3, 1976, in Kaysville, Utah. His numerous passions and hobbies included professional drag racing, skiing, Harleys and Model A Fords. He was an avid sports fan – New Orleans Saints, WSU football and the Ogden Raptors. Gene and Joyce traveled extensively, were members of the Beehive Model A Club and the Northern Utah Harley Owners Group. He spent 11 years as a lineman for Utah Power and Light, where he received an award for saving a fellow lineman who had been electrocuted. Gene was licensed as a pilot in 1979. During his flying career, he flew any craft from small Cessnas to commercial jets. He flew fire retardant tankers, smoke jumpers, “infra red” missions and lead plane during his wildland fire fighting career. Most recently he was employed as Chief Pilot for Neptune Aviation Services of Missoula, Montana. Gene is survived by his wife, Joyce, brothers Gary (wife Yvonne) and Alan (wife Betsy) from CA, sister-in-law Carleen Ashbaker, Layton, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 8, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the Huntsville 1st Ward, 277 So. 7400 E. Friends and family may call Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Monday from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment, Huntsville City Cemetery. The family wishes to give special thanks to Kristen Nicolarsen and Jennifer Draughon, Officers and fellow employees Nic Lynn and Greg Jones, of Neptune Aviation, and Sara Mildebrandt, Medical Examiner of Washoe County, NV, for their care, love and support during the days immediately following Gene’s death. We also wish to thank the Huntsville 1st Ward Relief Society, friends and family for their love and support. Donations in Gene Wahlstrom’s name may be made to Neptune Aviation, 2 Corporate Way Missoula, MT 59808. These donations will be dispersed to his favorite charities.