Memorial Tribute

Nicole “Nikki” Dawn Kielar

1975 – 2005

A memorial is often a summation of a person’s life and accomplishments, their deeds and special gifts, their unique character.  When that person is in their twenties, so much of life is still ahead, unrealized; a blank slate.  There are careers to forge, callings to find, and achievements to realize.  Not so for 29 nine-year old Nicole (Nikki) Kielar, an accomplished young woman who achieved more than people twice her age while devoting her life to helping others in need.  It’s safe to say that Nikki Kielar knew exactly who she was and exactly where she was headed.

Nikki’s brief life ended January 10, 2005 when the LifeEvac helicopter she was working aboard crashed into the Potomac River near the Woodrow Wilson bridge in Washington, DC killing her and pilot Joseph Schaefer.  Flight nurse Jonathan Godfrey, while seriously injured, survived the crash.  The aircraft was returning to base after delivering a patient to Washington Hospital Center. 

Nikki’s avocation began at 19 years of age.  While attending University of Virginia (UVA), she began her rescue career at the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS), one of the largest all volunteer rescue squads in the country. 

Nicole (Nikki) Dawn Kielar (center), pictured with members of the Charlottesville-

Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS). Albemarle, County, VA.

As an EMT/Paramedic with CARS, she became a member of several specialty teams, including the Technical Rescue Team, the Vehicle Rescue Team, the Water Rescue Team, and the EMS Bike Team.  In 2004, she was a member of the state championship advanced life support competition team.  Nikki served CARS as Squad Training Officer, Crew Captain, and Duty Officer.  Nikki eventually rose to the rank of Assistant Chief and served on the rescue squad’s Board of Directors.

After graduating from the University of Virginia (UVA), she served as a communications officer with the UVA Media, working to help coordinate regional EMS resources and dispatching the medical helicopter "Pegasus."

In 2003, she began working as a flight paramedic at LifeEvac, a subsidiary of Colorado-based Air Methods, operated from Virginia Commonwealth University Medical

Center.   Nikki functioned as the regional education coordinator for the Northeastern Air Methods flight programs, which included the New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the Virginia areas.  She was also instrumental in the setting up LifeEvac’s Fredericksburg base of operations. 

She earned her Bachelors degree in biology from the University of Virginia, and her Masters in physiology from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). She had been accepted to medical school at VCU for the fall term 2006, however she never learned of her acceptance due to the accident that took her life.  Her college professors and advisors knew of her potential to become an excellent clinician, researcher, and emergency medical physician.  Her colleagues knew her to be compassionate, professional and accepting of nothing less than the best.  Her family loved her unconditionally.

Nikki Kielar, a life well lived.