SEATTLE -- A hiker who died of exposure on Mount Rainier had lain on the ground so that his wife and friend could lie on top of him in an effort to stay warm, a ranger at the park told KIRO News Radio.

Eduard Burceag, 31, died from exposure on the mountain Tuesday after he, his 31-year-old wife, Marianna Burceag, and friend, David Vlad, 37, went for a day hike on Monday and became trapped during extreme weather conditions.

The three were part of two groups of Active Voice employees, where Burceag and Vlad worked, on the hike on Monday.

At about 500 feet below Camp Muir, Burceag's group was caught in a sudden blizzard. They built a snow cave and tried to take refuge, rangers said.

"They definitely knew they were in a tough spot all night and they basically huddled together and lay on top of each other. But he (Burceag) took the hit for his team and insisted on being kind of the guy on the bottom so he would take the brunt of the cold and keep his wife warm. And she made it," said a park ranger.

Burceag's co-workers at the Seattle software company said they will remember him as a hero.

"Eduard was the greatest guy. (He was) a dedicated employee as well as a great family man. He had two children," said Active Voice co-worker Joseph Fletcher.

The two survivors arrived at Seattle's Harborview Medical Center Wednesday several hours after an Army helicopter transported them off the mountain to Madigan Hospital. Both were suffering from frostbite and hypothermia. A hospital spokesman said the two are in satisfactory condition after being treated and released.

Burceag’s body remains at Camp Muir where it will be transported off the mountain by helicopter or sled.

On Thursday afternoon, Victor Foia, Active Voice President and Chief Executive Officer issued the following statement:

"Active Voice and its employees extend their deepest sympathies to the family of Eduard Burceag. We are honoring the Burceag family by respecting their request for privacy.

Widely admired for his energy, vision and outlook on life, Mr. Burceag, Director of Linux Engineering, was instrumental in leading many of the most successful projects at Active Voice.

Eduard cared deeply for Active Voice and its people. His loss is being felt widely across our company. He was a natural leader who was enormously well liked and made an enduring impression on those he encountered.

Eduard will be deeply missed."