Doug Martinson

Douglas Trygve Martinson November 15, 1956 - June 9, 2023 Cashmere, Washington Douglas Martinson, Paramedic, died Friday, June 9, 2023, at home in Cashmere, WA from prostate cancer, he was 66 years old. Doug was born in Seattle, WA on November 15, 1956 to Gretchen and Harold "Bob" Martinson. He attended Seattle University and received his Bachelor of Public Administration in 1982. Later in life Doug found his true calling and attended Central Washington University and received a Certificate of Completion for Paramedic Training, on June 28, 1994. Doug lived in Cashmere, WA, and worked at various EMS facilities in Eastern and Central Washington for the past 25 years. Doug received his Eagle Scout award on October 6, 1972. He also received a national award in 1966 at the age of nine when he found his mother in a coma and called the doctor and ambulance, being credited for saving her life. During high school, Doug enrolled in the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and received his certificate of completion from the United States Marine Corp in 1975. His hope was to join the United States Marine Corps and go onto Officers Training School, due to several restrictions that was not possible. Doug was a volunteer and member of the German Shepherd Search Dogs Association (GSSDA) and Ski Patrol Rescue Team (SPART). Such a volunteer specialty meant 150 hours of training each year and being on call 24/7. At a moment's notice, he could be summoned to any wilderness local in the state (and frequently out of the state) to be part of a rescue team. Doug's rescue missions took him from Ketchikan AK, Mount Hood, OR searching for missing climbers, throughout the Pacific Northwest, to Mexico searching for earthquake survivors. Doug found this volunteer work to be very self-satisfying. "When you find someone who is lost and hurting, it makes all the hours of training and work worthwhile." In May 1991 Doug received his National Appointment No. 7469 to the National Ski Patrol. He once said his National Rank meant more to him than his college education. It took him 10 years of patrolling to reach this achievement and it was the highest honor given to him by his peers on the patrol. During Doug's first marriage he formed a very close relationship with his In-laws (Vic and Diane Underwood) and always kept them very close to his heart. On their last visit to see Doug and Shelley, Vic told Doug he thought of him as the son he never had. That was so important to Doug because he held Vic to the highest esteem and had the utmost respect for him. In 2012 Doug met the love of his life "Shelley" on a blind date and married her on September 13, 2014. Although their time was short, they enjoyed family and friends, eating out, snow skiing, traveling, and camping. In March they were able to go to Palm Springs for a week and in April they went on a three- week RV trip to the Skagit Valley to see the Tulip Festival and Deception Pass. As Doug's loving caregiver, Shelley made it possible for him to stay at home throughout his battle with cancer. Doug died surrounded by his loving family, his pastor, and his constant companion "Abby", his golden retriever. Doug is survived by his wife, Shelley; his mother, Gretchen Thompson; his sister, Karen Ellertson (Mark); and stepsiblings: Larry Thompson, Wayne Thompson, and Gail Ells (Steve). A memorial service is scheduled for 11 am on July 7, 2023, at Grace Lutheran, 401 Elberta Ave., Cashmere, WA 98815. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: German Shepherd Search Dogs - Donate (gssd.org)