Brian "Buck" Dryer

Brian (Buck) Dryer was born in Calgary on April 1, 1955.  In 1977 Brian graduated from the forestry program at NAIT and entered the career of his dreams as a district forest officer with the Alberta Forest Service in Whitecourt. He joined the Whitecourt Volunteer Fire Department in January 1978 and in short time achieved the rank of Captain.

On February 27, 1979, as a member of the Whitecourt Fire Department, Buck responded to a house fire.  During this act of bravery, he was caught in the fire and suffered significant life altering injuries including burns to 80% of his body and a lifetime of physical and mental suffering. Despite this tragic event he was not deterred from pursuing his career with forestry, eventually achieving a career highlight as an Air Attack Officer fighting many wildfires throughout his 40-year career.

As the provincial air attack officer, Buck was very active in numerous training programs.  Not only did he train the new air attack officers and pilots on how to fight fire from the air with airtankers, he also trained new wildland fire fighters and aspiring indigenous fire fighters, many of whom continue to work in wildland fire fighting today.  Everyone who worked with Buck has fond memories of his commitment and passion to the program.

Brian, coach Bucky, was a very beloved football coach with St. Albert Minor Football and Bellerose High School for 28 years. Football became a family passion with him coaching all four of his sons and later led him to have the opportunity of coaching his grandchildren the past 4 years.

The high school has named a trophy in Brian’s memory and there is a bench at the local football field commemorating his many years of dedication to the football community.

Brian’s other hobbies included scuba diving, swimming, biking, all inclusive trips with family and playing bass trombone in the St. Albert Community Band.

Brian Dryer passed away on January 26, 2024, at 68 years of age from injuries pertaining to the fire. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, four sons and daughters-in-law and an ever increasing number of special grandchildren.