Community members filled the Deschutes County Fairgrounds Sunday to honor and remember firefighter Rhett Larsen, who died in a tragic motorcycle accident on Highway 26 last week.
On June 2, Larsen was off-duty and riding home to Bend from Portland when a bear ran out in front of his motorcycle. The crash sent Larsen into oncoming traffic; he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Firefighters and other volunteers stood vigil over him day and night through this past week, until Sunday’s funeral.
The service was open to anyone who wanted to attend.
Larsen leaves behind his wife and two children. A gofundme account to help his family has already raised more than $31,000.