Microsoft employee and Redmond CERT graduate dies in diving accident in West Seattle

Tareq Saade, a graduate of the City of Redmond's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, died last weekend in a diving accident in West Seattle.

February 27, 2012 5:16 pm
Microsoft employee Tareq Saade died last weekend in a diving accident in West Seattle. The Seattle resident was a graduate of the City of Redmond's CERT program and was active in the American Red Cross.
Microsoft employee Tareq Saade died last weekend in a diving accident in West Seattle. The Seattle resident was a graduate of the City of Redmond's CERT program and was active in the American Red Cross.

Tareq Saade, a graduate of the City of Redmond‘s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, died on Feb. 19 in a diving accident in West Seattle.

He was 29.

A memorial service was held last Sunday at Salty’s at Alki Beach. Fellow CERT graduates City Council member David Carson, Patti Margeson and Stephen Cox attended Sunday’s memorial.

“During our class he proved to be an excellent leader despite nearly everyone in the class being older than he,” Carson said. “Those of us who got to know him during and after the class will miss him dearly. He pursued his passions with an abandon and enthusiasm that is seldom seen and is an inspiration to those of us who knew him. I know that my life certainly is better for becoming his friend and I will miss him greatly.”

Saade lived in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood and worked for Microsoft Corp. in Redmond, specializing in Internet security and was instrumental in fighting two Internet worms for which he received recognition for his efforts.

Saade was also active in amateur radio and the American Red Cross.

Redmond CERT program manager Janeen Olson said even after he completed his CERT training Saade would continue to offer his help with some of the drills they would practice.

“He had the biggest heart and it was always reflected in his smile,” she said, adding that Saade was a “very, very special young man.”

Margeson said Saade was an inspiration but also approachable, always offering to help others and a true friend.

“He knew how to make everyone in his life feel important and yet he was not fake,” she said. “If you were doing something you should not, he would call you on it. (He was) the kind of friend you could trust to tell you the truth.”

Cox said he only knew Saade for a few years but he had a very positive impact on him.

“He was full of life and energy, donating his time to many volunteer organizations in the area,” Cox said. “He was always positive and fun to be around, greeting everyone with his warm, embracing smile like they were an old friend. He inspired many people to give a little more in everything they did, to be the best they could be.”