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I found this story the other day and thought it would be a wonderful memory to share written by John's wife Susan for a book about the Hyatt tragedy. Gladys
Susan Tvedten
Hyatt story-John H. Tvedten-Kansas City MO
The night of the Hyatt skywalk collapse is indelibly etched in my heart. I've realized that I may be the only one left who can tell this particular story and I strongly feel the need to do so. Here it is, as I remember it.
I was with my boyfriend and future husband, John O. Tvedten, (we were married in May of 1985) that night in July, 1981. We were at the house he shared with his Dad, John H. Tvedten, watching a movie or something on TV when there was a news break-in about the Hyatt.
A short time later, a friend of his Dad's called and told John that his Dad and Jean (his Dad's steady gal) had talked about attending the Tea Party that night but he wasn't sure what they had finally decided. We kept an eye on the reports coming in on TV but we weren't overly concerned because the Tea Party didn't sound like their type of event and really, they could be at a movie or just about anywhere.
That all changed when we later received a phone call from Jean. Yes, they were there. She was in the dance contest and John, who wasn't a dancer, was standing by the bar when she last saw him. Jean and others who were not injured, were made to leave the scene and she had not been able to locate John. She was at home and was hoping that we might have heard from him.
My John, who was on the KCMO Fire Department, just like his Dad, put on his uniform so he could get through the blockades and into the Hyatt to find his Dad. Of course, no one would let him work at the scene for fear that he might actually pull his own Dad from the rubble. I remember later seeing a picture of him sitting next to Mayor Berkley during the search.
John was there the entire night, until the last body was recovered. His Dad was not one of them. Throughout the night, Jean and John both continued to call me at John's house to see if his Dad had called or shown up.
John left the Hyatt to check the hospitals. His Dad seldom carried identification so we thought he may be hurt and hospitalized and unidentified. He found his Dad in the morgue at one of the first hospitals he tried. I don't remember which morgue it was, but he found out that his Dad had been one of the first victims pulled out and had most likely already been moved from the scene by the time John arrived at the Hyatt.
John kept and wore his Dad's fire helmet because coincidentally, he went on to become the Chief of District 106, which was the position his Dad held at the time of his death at the Hyatt.
After my husband, John, died in the line of duty at a fire on December 18, 1999, I found in our safety deposit box, a deflated Hyatt Tea Party balloon and the toe tag from his Dad's body. John and his Dad were very close, as were John and our son, Tyler.
It's hard for me to imagine what that night at the Hyatt must have been like for my late husband and everyone else who had to witness the death and carnage at the Hyatt Regency. What an awful image to have to carry around with you in addition to, for many, the heartbreak from the loss of a loved one.
Read more here: http://skywalk.kansascity.com/contact/messages/7749/#storylink=cpy
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Pat (Jim) Prestigiacomo
I got to know John initially when we both attended Sunday School at Central United Methodist Church. He showed himself in that setting to be an interesting and thoughtful person.I remember that John showed up one Sunday with his arm in a cast. He had tried out for the freshman football team and got his arm broken the very first practice when a much bigger varsity player scrambled for the same ball that John was after. Shortly after John's arm had heeled, he decided to try wrestling as a sport. He went on to become a varsity wrestler for Southwest. . . and a damned good one at that.
After high school, at the University of Missouri, John and I ended up as fraternity brothers at Lambda Chi Alpha. He was a valuable member of our fraternity, contributing where he could. He was a good "brother".
After college, John made his career with the Kansas City Fire Department. He rose in the ranks to become a Battalion Chief. After a 26 year career, John gave his life in 1999 in a warehouse fire. . . doing his job. John was a second generation firefighter. I think I remember hearing that John was wearing his Dad's fire helmet when he died.
John lived a good life and he died with dignity. John was a hero and I honor his memory.
Terry Greenberg (Krause)
I was going to say something light and breezy about John's boyish good looks and impish "bad" behavior, but I came across this on a blog and decided to share it instead. (Source: http://blogs.kansascity.com/tvbarn/2008/02/cruiser-980-cle.html)“John Tvedten was the conscience of the fire department,” he says. “There were problems with the radios that the firefighters used, and John was outspoken about this. He was told he was committing career suicide by speaking out. But whenever an opportunity rose and the radios didn't work, he would give me information and I would break stories. Ironically, he died in a warehouse where the radios were working fine.” Even after his death, Tvedten was the department's conscience, as changes were made and drills initiated to ensure another firefighter didn't run out of oxygen in a smoke-filled room, as Tvedten did.
What more can I say? I'm very proud to have been able to call this hero my friend.
Beth Annis (Collins)
John, we lost you too soon! Your great niece and I have a bond, and you know what that is. Blessings to you!Chris Mahley
I didn't know John very well but respected him for his dedication and success on the mat - which obviously carried over into his distinquished career as a firefighter. Only the best to his family; he was a giver - the ultimate giver - to our community.
Steve Sackrider
SPIDERMAN.
Amy Wagner (Nelson)
One of the finest human beings I have ever had the pleasure to know, learn from and miss these many years.