Travis Daniel Tikka

United States Army Sergeant Travis Daniel Tikka tragically lost his life on November 18, 2023, due to angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a result of toxic exposure to burn pits during his deployment in Somalia.

Tikka was born in Vancouver, Washington, as the oldest of five siblings and grew up surrounded by a large extended family with many cousins. From an early age, he developed a passion for fishing and taught himself how to tie flies, both as a hobby and to earn extra money. The great outdoors quickly became his second home. Tikka loved hiking, biking, camping, hunting, and scuba diving, always seeking new adventures in nature. He knew from a young age that he wanted to join the Army and eagerly looked forward to turning 18 so he could enlist.

On January 19, 1984, Tikka proudly enlisted in the United States Army, beginning his military journey as a vehicle mechanic. While he approached every task with dedication, it wasn’t until he changed his military occupation specialty to Military Police that he truly found his calling. Serving as a protector and leader came naturally to him. Tikka thrived in the role, embracing the responsibility with pride, purpose, and unwavering commitment. During his time in service, he achieved many notable accomplishments. Tikka earned the Air Assault Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, and Recruiter Badge. He also served as a D.A.R.E. instructor, teaching young students the importance of making safe and healthy choices. While stationed on Kwajalein, he was an active member of the Kwajalein SCUBA Club, which was once considered the largest diving club in the world. He completed over 100 dives and earned both his Advanced and Rescue Diver certifications.

Tikka met his wife, Sara, after they both began working for the Social Security Administration following their college graduations in 2014. As fellow veterans, they shared a deep understanding and mutual respect for one another’s experiences. What started as a friendship quickly blossomed into a meaningful and lasting relationship. They were married on October 6, 2018 in Glacier National Park. Tikka is described as humble, kind, a great protector, loving husband and outstanding father. He was hard-working, generous, and an exceptional leader who understood that respect is earned, not given. While he took great pride in his roles as a soldier and husband, nothing made him prouder than being a dad.

Sara currently resides in Montana with their children, Madyson and Mason, where they enjoy local adventures to the library, playground, and museums. Like their dad, the children have a deep love for swimming and anything involving water. Sara dreams of traveling the world with her children and looks forward to continuing their shared love for the outdoors, including hiking, biking, and exploring all things water related. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has allowed her to shift her focus from financial stress to her family’s emotional well-being.

United States Army Sergeant Travis Daniel Tikka is survived by his loving wife, Sara, and his beautiful children, Madyson and Mason.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage of the Tikka family home through the Gold Star Family Home Program.