The Hendersonville community and the Hendersonville Fire Department are in mourning following the passing of Fire Captain Don Dallenbach. WSMV reported that Dallenbach, who served the department for 32 years, died on Sunday, at the age of 58 after a battle with stage 4 metastatic pancreatic cancer. He is remembered not only for his bravery as a firefighter but also for his advocacy for his peers to undergo regular health screenings and take preventative action.
Survived by his wife Denise and two sons, Dylan and Drew, Captain Dallenbach's legacy is one of service and devotion both to his family and to the wider Hendersonville community. A local public service hero, Dallenbach was a graduate of Hendersonville High School and dedicated much of his life to firefighting, according to Sumner County Source. His death, occurring peacefully at home surrounded by his loved ones, has left an indelible mark on the hearts of many.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, at noon at the Long Hollow Church with the burial and full firefighter honors at the Hendersonville Memory Gardens, as stated by the Hendersonville Fire Department. Those wishing to pay their final respects can attend visitation hours at the church on Thursday, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM and on Friday, from 10:00 AM until the service begins, reported the Hendersonville Fire Department (TN) - Official Site Facebook page.
The Dallenbach family has requested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to organizations close to Don's heart: Tunnel to Towers, Firefighter Cancer Support Network, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, or Live Love Nashville. The testament to Dallenbach's character can be felt in the communal grief and the collective resolve to honor a life that "will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know him," as the Hendersonville Fire Department expressed in their tribute, detailed by WSMV.
