Veteran firefighter dies of sudden heart attack

Tuesday, July 3, 2007
MHFD volunteer Dennis Terhaar.

The Mountain Home Fire Department and many family and friends are grieving the loss of long-time volunteer firefighter Dennis Terhaar, who died suddenly from a massive heart attack while on a fishing trip Sunday afternoon near the Anderson Ranch Reservoir.

Terhaar was fishing in the Wilson Creek area with his teenage son, Hunter, when he started complaining of indigestion and heartburn.

His son tried to summon help but 46 year old Terhaar died before medical help could arrive to treat him.

"It is a terrible shock for us...he was so young," said Chief Phil Gridley.

Terhaar had been with the fire department since 1986 and Gridley described him as "a good firefighter, sharp firefighter. He could really think things out and we used him often on arson cases for that reason. He was very dedicated to the department."

Gridley noted that the number one killer of firefighters is heart attacks, due to the stresses of the job and the constant adrenalin rushes, whether on or off the job.

A memorial service for Terhaar is scheduled for Friday, July 6. Details will be available in the Obituary section of the website and in the Mountain Home News.

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