Noah Stephen Francis Evermann, 35, of Pullman
Noah Stephen Francis Evermann
While participating in one of his favorite pastimes, Noah died June 4, 2016, outside of Ensenada, Mexico, during the Baja 500 Motocross Race. He was 35.
He was born Sept. 26, 1980, in Pullman to James F. Evermann and Maureen F. Curtin Evermann. Noah married Bridgette Normandin on March 12, 2005, in Pullman and the couple later made their home near Anchorage, Alaska.
Noah graduated from Pullman High School with the class of 1999. Prior to graduation, Noah had already enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and graduated basic training with honors. He was a USMC Military Police K-9 dog handler, a role he cherished and one that cemented his love for dogs the rest of his life. While in Hawaii at his first duty station, Noah was awarded a selective U.S. Navy ROTC full scholarship to the University of Idaho and he said goodbye to his first working dog, Quanta. He accepted the scholarship and was transitioned to Idaho 15 days before Sept. 11, 2001.
Noah later gave up his scholarship to return and serve with his fellow Marines, deploying to Iraq in September 2005 with his dog Boris. Together they served helping to protect their fellow servicemen and women. Boris often slept under Noah's bed while deployed, Noah taking care to feed and personally see to Boris' medical needs before his own. Noah's other multiple deployments while an explosive detection dog handler for the U.S. Department of State included Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan. He had the honor of working with his new dog, Boomer, whom he affectionately nicknamed "Boom Nutz," and later his next dog Darla. He and Bridgette later adopted Boomer and he lived out his days with them at their home. Among Noah's many achievements include when Noah and Boomer successfully secured the Presidential Palace for President Obama's first state visit to Afghanistan. Noah loved his dogs and was an expert trainer and handler.
Prior to his security work, Noah served and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard. He was a gifted athlete and where he did not have the inherent talent, he made up for in sheer determination and hard work. As a Marine, he once rescued a drowning victim off of the coast of Hawaii. He qualified and was selected for the USCG's elite Rescue Swimmer School.
Noah enjoyed spending time with Bridgette, his family, his fellow Marines and veterans of all services, his many devoted friends and his dogs, Jaxon Five Sinatra, Kodi and Beaux. He also loved playing and watching soccer, and riding motorcycles.
Noah's love of motorcycles introduced him to some of his closest and most devoted friends. After his many deployments, riding motorcycles and being with his dogs was where Noah felt most at ease. While still overseas, he once purchased a motorcycle that he picked up in Baltimore and then rode all the way to Anchorage. For his brother John's wedding he rode from Anchorage to his beloved Lake Tahoe, high in the Sierra Nevadas. For that trip, he didn't pack a tent and while pulling into a campsite one late night, a park ranger - after seeing him setting up just a blanket and sleeping bag - warned him that there had been a few bears in the area. Instead of taking the advice to move on, Noah thanked the ranger and spent the night with his K-Bar knife clutched to his chest.
Noah loved his family and particularly his nieces and nephews. He reveled in the arrival to the world of each and every one. He went out of his way to try and see them as soon as possible after they were born. He connected and formed an everlasting bond with each one. He loved showing them new soccer and dance moves he was working on.
Survivors include his wife, Bridgette; his mother and father; his sister Jamie Tilschner, her husband, Matthew, and their children, Gabrielle, Meghan and Jakob; his sister Katie Evermann Druffel, her husband, Bill, and their children, Henry and MJ; his brother, John Evermann, his wife, Lydia Dibos, and their children, Andrew and John Patrick; his aunt Kate Hodges and uncle Bill Hodges and family; his uncle Shawn and aunt Debbie Curtin and family; his uncle Steve and aunt Anna Evermann and family; his aunt, Sister Ruth Evermann; and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and his aunt Irene. He will be forever loved and remembered by his many devoted friends from all over the world.
Besides his love for his dogs, family and friends, perhaps Noah's greatest legacy will be his innumerable collection of self-produced adventure videos. Noah directed and starred in hundreds of videos, chronicling a life lived to its fullest, out-of-doors, in all seasons, and always with his family and friends, new and old.
Noah's experiences made his love stronger, his friendships richer and heightened his sense of justice and what was right. He generated a joyful force that all wanted to be a part of. While many try to balance their lives along a spectrum between careful and cautious planning with the occasional burst of fun, Noah lived on a spectrum of energy and effervescent joy. Just being around him made you reflect and pursue new adventures, however small or big they may be. That is a gift he gave everyone who ever met him. During every exhibition, he laughed and made others laugh. He cried and made others cry. He served and helped others to serve. He lived, and may he help all of us, to live a life full of challenge and adventure.
A Vigil Service will be Thursday, June 16th at 7:00 pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pullman. Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, June 17th at 10:00 am at the church. Following Mass all are invited to the home of Noah's parents, Jim and Maureen, for a reception.
Memorial gifts or contributions are recommended to the Pullman Education Foundation for a scholarship in his name; or to the Warrior Dog Foundation; or to the American Legion. On-line condolences may be left at www.kimballfh.com
Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman is caring for the family.