The Dammen, Steichen, and Bishop families extend our gratitude to the entire Austin community for its loving concern and compassion after the tragic death of Kevin Dammen on June 7.

We especially thank friends, neighbors, relatives and members of the track and cross-country teams for coming to our aid at our time of bereavement. Your support helped hold us up at a time when we needed it most.

Our appreciation also goes out to the area news media for their accurate coverage of the accident, and a special thanks to the emergency services in the Bayfield/Ashland, Wis., area. They include the Bayfield Fire and Ambulance Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Park Service, Red Cliff Police, Fire and Ambulance Services, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Life Link III medical helicopter, Ashland Fire Department paramedics, the private aircraft involved, and deputies from the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Department.

And finally, we thank Father Joe Fogal of St. Augustine Church for his constant support for the immediate family of Dana and Mike Steichen and Mike Dammen.

Families of Dana and Mike Steichen
Submitted by Dean Bishop,
Austin, grandfather of Kevin