Dustin Matthew "Dusty" Finney

November 11, 1982 - August 12, 2011

Many of the people in the Free-thought movement in both Washington and Oregon were honored to know and work with Dustin Finney. The Northwest Free-thought Alliance has decided to commemorate his life with an award each year to an upper division or graduate student majoring in Environmental Studies or Environmental Sciences.

Memberships: Portland Community College Sylvania/Cascade, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Atheist Nexus, Black Freethought, The Flying Spaghetti Monster Lands for a Pint, Humanists of Greater Portland, CFI Vancouver Skeptics, Westside Science and Religion Discussion Group, CFI Portland Meet-up Groups, Atheists Etcetera PDX, Planned Parenthood, Mercy Corps.

At the time of this death, he was in the process of getting the Secular Student Alliance group up and running at Portland Community College, Cascade Campus. He also served on the Board of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

"Dustin" to family and his newer friends, "Dusty" to his many long-standing friends, was 28 years old and enjoying the happiest time of his life when he was killed doing one of the things he loved and was committed to the most: riding his bike. He was an avid cyclist, riding his bike 13 miles each way to school every day, and everywhere else he went, including his mom's house 17 miles away and his mentor's home about 30 miles away. He was dedicated to not polluting, to not creating more traffic, to not spending money unnecessarily, and to being fit and active in his everyday life.

Dustin was struck from behind by a drunk driver in an SUV that was in the bike lane, and was hit so hard he was thrown over the head of a cyclist in front of him, traveling about 175 feet before he landed against a curb. Dustin died at the scene.

The SUV driver hit the second cyclist, but fortunately, the second cyclist suffered only minor physical injuries. The driver fled the scene, was found by a K-9 unit, and is facing multiple felony charges.

About Dustin:

Full Name:	Dustin Matthew "Dusty" Finney
Birth:	November 11, 1982, Vancouver WA
Death:	August 12, 2011, Portland OR
Memberships:	Portland Community College Sylvania/Cascade, American's United for Separation of Church and State, Freedom From Religion Foundation, Atheist Nexus, Black Freethought, The Flying Spaghetti Monster Lands for a Pint, Humanists of Greater Portland, CFI Vancouver Skeptics, Westside Science and Religion Discussion Group, CFI Portland Meetup Groups, Atheists Etcetera PDX, Planned Parenthood, Mercy Corps At the time of this death, he was in the process of getting the Secular Student Alliance group up and running at Portland Community College, Cascade Campus. He also served on the Board of American’s United for Separation of Church and State.
Biography:	"Dustin" to family and his newer friends, "Dusty" to his many long-standing friends, was 28 years old and enjoying the happiest time of his life when he was killed doing one of the things he loved and was committed to the most: riding his bike. He was an avid cyclist, rode his bike 13 miles each way to school every day, and everywhere else he went, including his mom's house 17 miles away and his mentor's home about 30 miles away. He was dedicated to not polluting, to not creating more traffic, to not spending money unnecessarily, and to being fit and active in his everyday life. Dustin was riding home from a friend's place when he was struck from behind by an SUV that was traveling in the bike lane, hit so hard he was thrown over the head of another cyclist in front of him and traveled about 175 feet before he came to his final rest against a curb. The SUV driver then hit the second cyclist as well before fleeing the scene. Fortunately, that young cyclist suffered only minor physical injuries. Dustin died at the scene.
Self Description:	I'm active in my local skeptic community and serve on the board of the Columbia Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which works to defend the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution." I'm a firebrand atheist and life-long questioner of authority looking to connect with like-minded people to discuss ways to further non-belief and non-believers. I'm particularly interested in meeting other atheists from my area who would be willing and able to attend city/county council and school board meetings and/or participate in letter-writing campaigns/demonstrations. Friend of reason, foe of 'faith'. Rumor rejected, proof embraced. Until I have sufficient cause, I simply can't believe in god/s.
Favorite quote:	"Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathy with despised and persecuted ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences." - Susan B. Anthony
Political Views:	Left of center. I'm something of a European-style Social Democrat.
Religious views:	Atheist. "Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, that that of blindfolded fear." - Thomas Jefferson
Charities:	Planned Parenthood, Greenpeace, Mercy Corps, Prostate Cancer Fund and Persons with Disabilities Fund. He volunteered at a homeless shelter and for the Stream Team through Clark Public Utilities, cleaning up streams and trails, planting trees, etc.
Personal:	Dustin is survived by two brothers, a sister and his mother. He attended college, first at Clark College, where his German teacher has told me that Dustin was one of the best students he'd ever had. He taught himself enough German before starting classes that he exempted the first two classes and entered at the third level, then was hired the following quarter as a German tutor. In 2011 he began studying at Portland Community College, majoring in Environmental Science.

If you are interested in applying to this award, fill out this application.