In Memory of Walt Sickler: Support for Trina & Michael

It’s with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Walter Sickler on Aug. 6, 2024. After a long fought battle with stage IV colon cancer, Walt passed at home surrounded by love.

Walt’s faithful and loving wife of 22 years, Trina, along with amazing son, Michael, will navigate the upcoming days, weeks, months and beyond without Walt. Our desire is to do all that we can to support their journey and provide as much financial support as possible to cover incoming medical bills, funeral expenses, and more.

About their story:

Having been in the Navy for 6 years, serving in the Gulf war and being away from home, Walt truly appreciated being with his family!

Together, Walter and Trina have built a wonderful life and family. After many years of infertility treatments they were blessed with their son, Michael, who has been the center of their universe! As a family, they’ve enjoyed their trailer life in Pismo, going to the beach, camping in the mountains, and especially taking Michael to Disneyland! Life was fun and full of exciting adventures.

On December 23, 2019 their life was forever changed. Walter, who had just been promoted to Captain with the Fresno Fire Department, was diagnosed with career-related stage 4 colon cancer. It was a devastating time. One of Trina’s fire friends shared this on Facebook, “This is part of the hidden sacrifices firefighters make to serve others. They are at risk of certain cancers due to the toxins they inhale.”

With Trina by his side, Walter began chemotherapy treatment in February of 2020. Since this time, he has gone through many series of chemo and radiation. He has had multiple surgeries and countless tests and procedures.

While Walt and Trina have endured so much over the past four years, their dedication to keeping Michael’s life as “normal” as possible has been remarkable. They would do anything for Michael to help him enjoy life and become a successful adult who knows the importance of giving to his community.

Although many days after treatments were hard on Walt, he and Trina made the most of the good days! During his good days he would be out cycling with Michael, volunteering with Michael’s Boy Scout Troop, adventuring out with Trina and Michael, riding his motorcycle with Trina through the twisty mountain roads and supporting Trina in all of her endeavors. During all of this keeping Michael involved in his activities, including trying many new adventures, has been a priority. Trina and Walt have fought this horrible disease head on!

In June of this year, after experiencing unusual symptoms, Walt was taken to the Emergency Room. It was discovered that tumors had grown in his brain and he would need emergency surgery at Stanford Medical Center. Recovery seemed to be miraculous, only to find that within weeks, Trina was driving Walt back to Stanford as more tumors had formed, along with other complications. Walt endured another 14 hour surgery while Trina endured the pain of the waiting and praying for a positive outcome. Routinely traveling back and forth to care for Walter and Michael, along with staying in a hotel near the hospital, has been taxing on Trina and Michael. However, she has continued to forge on with a smile on her face and so much love in her heart.

We are all praying for peace and strength for the Sickler family.

Trina has been balancing life as a wife and mother as well as a school vice principal in the most remarkable way.

Walt worked as long as he could but recently retired. Their income has been deeply affected.

They have received amazing support from their fire and education families and it is now time for us to rally together to lift her spirits and alleviate the financial burden that has taken a toll on this wonderful family.

Your generous donations will not only help Trina and her family in their going forward, but also remind them they are not alone.