Patrick Lee Carpenter was drawn to the fire service early in life, joining the California Division of Forestry as a firefighter in the late 1970s. As an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, skiing and horseback riding, a career as a firefighter allowed Patrick the opportunity to work, and protect, the natural landscape that he so loved. Just five months before his death, he received the last of several promotions within the fire service, reaching the rank of battalion chief. Patrick is survived by his wife, Marcha. He died in 1988 as a result of job-related cancer.