Joe Firey, 1918-2013

Joe Firey, one of the most active climbers and ski mountaineers in the Northwest from the 1950s through at least the 1980s, has passed away at age 95. There was a short obituary in this morning's Seattle Times:

www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/o...-firey&pid=168993913

Joe Firey

1918 ~ December 2013

Survived by his three children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Professor of mechanical engineering at the UW until retirement. Holds over two dozen combustion process patents. Served WWII LTJG submarine tender in the Pacific. Avid climber from high school until nearly 80. Joe did many first ascents and new routes in the North Cascades and the B.C. Coast Ranges and was a ski mountaineering pioneer in same. In the 50s and 60s Joe and wife Joan Firey [d.1980] climbed and skied together on these trips. Inquiries: Carla Firey, jimcarla@q.com.

Published in The Seattle Times from Jan. 9 to Jan. 12, 2014

See the following link for my 2008 NWMJ profile of the Fireys:

www.mountaineers.org/nwmj/08/081_Firey1.html

My dad climbed and skied with Joe and Joan quite a bit back in the day. Mentored him as a mountaineer, which he passed on to me.  thanks

Skied with him a few times at Paradise and Stevens. A long run at 95.

Joe was one of the best sources for information about the Coast Range in the heyday of his skiing. He was very jovial and was always willing to share his knowledge. I went on one of his Coast Range ski trips in the mid-80's and used his help to plan a couple of other adventures in that area. He will be greatly missed.

I loved the family hikes we would do with Joe and his daughter and granddaughter and Jim.