David A. Shrader, 62, passed away at his home October 26, 2017. He was surrounded by his loving family and a good dog. Dave was a kind and compassionate man. He worked a lifetime of caring for people and improving the systems that responded to emergencies. Dave started in EMS in 1972 as an EMT. He founded the high angle rescue squad that responded to emergencies in Greenville, SC’s mountainous areas. He was an EMT, then Paramedic. As his love for caring for people grew he moved into supervisory roles of EMS systems. He mentored many first responders and he guided the way cities and counties responded to medical emergencies.
Dave founded The Polaris Group, an EMS consulting firm that helps communities redesign their first response systems. His work refined how many communities dispatch ambulances to emergencies. His work spanned systems all across the country. His colleagues say that his work “quite literally has saved millions of lives.” Another long-time colleague said “Dave was a charismatic and inspirational man who contributed so much to the lives of people around him, and to the lives of people who will never know him or what he did through his work. His impact on society will live on as a great testament to him.”
Dave also gave a huge part of his life to helping the communities he lived in.He was a member of the Southern Shores Volunteer Fire Department for 12 years. He was promoted to Deputy Chief and helped guide the department through many improvements.Dave not only spent his life rescuing people, he was always a fan of a good rescue dog. Many lucky four-footed family members graced his side through the years.
Dave loved adventure. He was a long-time pilot who was as happy to fly right-side up or upside down or a floatplane to Alaska.
In his younger years, he was an avid rock climber. He loved to sail and be on the water. He kayaked, camped and adventured all across North America from Alaska to Baja Mexico and many places in between. He loved to travel and explore new places. Most of these wonderful adventures were shared with his loving wife Jeanne.
Dave is survived by his wife Jeanne, father Conrad Shrader, sister Nancy McHorney, her husband and their two children. He was predeceased by his mother Patricia. Many good rescue dogs will also be waiting to greet him on the other side.
In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to any of the following: National EMS Memorial Service, the animal shelter of your choice or Interfaith Community Outreach, a local charity on the Outer Banks.
National EMS Memorial Service is an organization that takes care of the families of EMS workers killed in the line of duty.
National EMS Memorial Service
P.O. Box 279
Oilville, VA 23129-0602
Interfaith Community Outreach https://www.interfaithoutreach.com an organization that takes care of people facing a temporary emergency crisis.
Condolences to the family may be expressed via the online register at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.