David Shields Dwyer

Born in Washington, D.C., to Joseph Leo and Pauline Shinn Dwyer, Dave developed a love of sports and had a keen ear for many types of music, with a special fondness for jazz, the swing band era and country and western music. He was a self-taught drummer and also enjoyed the pedal steel guitar. He loved his family and the years he spent relaxing in Ocean City and Bethany Beach. He was a lifelong, devoted supporter of the Washington Senators, Nationals and Redskins/Commanders teams.

Dave attended Blessed Sacrament School and Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC, and graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase Senior High School. He went on to the University of Maryland where he became a walk-on member of the freshmen basketball team. He left to begin working while also attending night school, and he graduated with a B.S. in Business Management from Southeastern University. He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.

Dave’s career with the federal government spanned several decades, including the National Institutes of Health, and later the Office of Emergency Preparedness. He retired from Federal service after 31 years in order to accept a political appointment as the first Chief of the Division of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services in the newly formed Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.

The role he was most well-known for was with the Bethesda-Chevy Rescue Squad (BCCRS). He joined as a volunteer in 1960 and dedicated the next 65 years to both the organization and the citizens of Montgomery County. His service included 25 years as Chief, 30 years on the Board of Directors, six additional years as a line officer, and more than 34 years standing active duty. His contributions extended far beyond BCCRS. Throughout his career, “Chief Dwyer” served in numerous leadership roles within Montgomery County’s volunteer fire and rescue service.

Dave received numerous nominations, citations and awards with some highlights being: Washingtonian of the Year from Washingtonian Magazine, induction into the Hall of Fame from both the Montgomery County and Maryland State Firemen’s Associations, Maryland Governor’s Annual Volunteer of the Year Award, Outstanding Volunteer Community Service Award from Montgomery Council of the American Legion, National Distinguished Citizenship Award from the National Grand Lodge – Order of Elks, National Firefighter of the Year from the National Volunteer Fire Council, and the Excellence in Community Service Award from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The BCCRS was also selected as one of President George H. W. Bush’s Points of Light in 1990, from which he delivered his annual Fire Prevention speech.

Dave was a Life Member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association, the BCCRS, the National Order of Elks and the VFW Auxiliary. He also held memberships in the American Legion, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the Knights of Columbus (3rd degree) and the Montgomery County Proud Old Timers.

Dave was pre-deceased by his parents as well as his wife, Barby. He is survived by his four children: Billy, Mary Claire, Dennis and Kathleen (Brian), granddaughters Anna and Casey Mayglothling, as well as his siblings Joel (Julie), Carole Flanagan, Pauline Parlato, Richard (Joan), Kevin Foley, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockville, MD (520 Veirs Mill Road). Visitation will begin at 9:00am with a Mass at 10:30am. A reception will follow from 12pm-3pm at Argyle Country Club, 14600 Argyle Club Road, Silver Spring, MD.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the Firefighter’s Burn Center at Washington Hospital Center, https://www.dcffburnfoundation.org/donate or to Heroes, Inc., https://heroes.org/donate-now/, both in Washington, D.C.