David Matier

David William Matier, 61, died from complications of a procedure after a long battle with cancer on February 20, 2014 in Las Cruces, NM. He was born on February 23, 1953 at Ft. Monmouth in Oceanport NJ to William E. Matier and Beverly Enck Matier. David began his wildland firefighting career in 1978 with the US Forest Service in the Lincoln National Forest, as a member of the Smokey Bear Hotshots. In 1992, he moved to Alaska to work for the Alaska Fire Service, Bureau of Land Management. He was the superintendent of the nationally recognized Midnight Sun Interagency Hot Shot Crew until his retirement in 2010. David was highly respected in the wildland fire world, and the Alaska Fire Service Community. He was a legend in the hotshot world, and was a starting point for many careers. During this time he married his long time best friend and the love of his life, Sonja Crown Matier. The two of them traveled extensively and entertained David's love of rock and roll concerts. In addition to traveling, he tended to his salsa garden for friends and family. David is survived by his wife, Sonja Crown Matier, his step daughter Kari, and the light of his life, his grandson, Zander Crown Rangel. His mother, Beverly Matier of Albuquerque, Brothers Jeff Matier, Brian Matier, Steve Matier, Mike Matier, Bill Matier. Sister Karen Matier Morlack, and their families. David was preceded in death by his father, William E. Matier Jr., sister Diane Matier and brother Mark Matier. A celebration of David's life will be held at their home in Las Cruces, Friday February 27th from 12-4 pm. David will reach his final resting place in Alaska during the summer of 2016. David will have a bronze plaque in his honor alongside other fallen wildland firefighters at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise Idaho. In lieu of flowers, a charitable donation site will be available at a later date.