Phillip Andrew Harland

April 28, 1957—October 9, 2013

 

Phil was born in Kansas City, Kansas to Kenneth and Mary Harland. He grew up in Elk Grove Village, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Phil worked in construction after graduating from Elk Grove High School in 1975. He was meticulous and hardworking and mastered hanging and finishing drywall and painting. Phil relocated to Lake Tahoe, California and continued to work construction and began tend bar. In 1987, Phil married Elizabeth Anne Bradley and the couple proudly welcomed their daughter Ashley Mary Harland. Phil and Elizabeth later divorced but became lifelong friends. Phil relocated once more to Reno, Nevada after his good friend Charlie Young introduced him to wildland firefighting. In wildland firefighting, Phil discovered his professional calling and he quickly developed expertise in the field. Phil took pride in his job and his professional integrity always came through in his work ethic. Whether he was meticulously maintaining equipment between fire calls, reinforcing safety protocol, or training future wildland firefighters, his work stood for itself. Phil was a great wildland firefighter because he loved it; he thrived under pressure. He persevered where others would retreat. He cherished life and he worked hard to maintain it.

 

Phil loved to see people happy and he would go above and beyond to make people smile. He was always ready with a joke, generous with a helping hand, and prepared with the right tools and expertise for any job. Phil was genuine. He chose his words from his kind heart and he spoke with wisdom and compassion.

 

Phil is preceded in death by his mother Mary Harland and his older brother. Phil is survived by his father Kenneth Harland, his sister, his daughter Ashley Mary Harland, his grandson Kaiden, and his friend Charlie Young, and countless friends and loved ones.

 

Paul Sahagun will be accepting donations to lay a permanent brick at the National Wildland Firefighter Monument in Boise, Idaho to honor Phil. Donations can be made to Paul directly or mailed to 170 North Sierra Street Reno, Nevada 89501.

 

We would like to thank Phil’s friends and family who have come together to support one another and to honor a great man and his inspirational life. Phil loved to joke about Newton’s folly of science; “gravity doesn’t exist,” he would say, “this planet just sucks!” Phil taught us life lessons, helped us change a tire and repair a leak, and sometimes he did nothing but lend an ear. He never hesitated to go above and beyond and we thank Phil for making our lives suck less. In honor of Phil, we encourage others to carry on a tradition of infectious and unrestrained generosity. When making decisions in the future, ask yourself how Phil would make this planet suck less, WWPD?