Memorial Tribute

Amy Riebe

1954– 1995

Remembering Amy

Although 12 years have passed since flight nurse Amy Riebe died in an air ambulance accident in Seattle, her twin sister Cece shares a bond with Amy that will never be broken.  This tribute reflects Cece’s recollection of Amy, her life, and her career.

Born July 1, 1954, Amy and Cece were the fourth set to twins to arrive on their mother’s side of the family tree.  As twins, they developed their own unique language that confounded their family and friends but kept them in touch and closely bonded.

According to Cece, Amy was the quiet and thoughtful sister.  She learned easily, worked with humble determination, and demonstrated more patience than most young women her age.  Amy and Cece were fraternal twins, and as often is the case, they were a mirror opposites in many aspects.  One quiet, one boisterous,  however they shared an unbreakable bond, they were and are sisters forever.

Like many who enter EMS, Amy knew from an early age she wanted to help others and nursing was her calling.  Amy earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Arizona State University.  After graduation, she worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix as both a medical-surgical and an emergency room nurse.  For a time she considered medical school, applying to several universities before finding her calling as a flight nurse.  She was recruited by Samaritan AirEvac in Phoenix before finding her way to Airlift Northwest in Seattle, Washington.  She earned her Master’s degree from the University of Washington and was on a career path to become a nurse practitioner prior to the accident that took her life.

On September 11, 1995 Amy was killed along with flight nurse Marna Fleetwood and pilot Lee Bothwell when the Agusta A109 they were working aboard crashed into Puget Sound.  There were no patients on board the helicopter at the time of the crash.

Amy is well-loved by her sister, her nieces and her family.