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Retired Fire Fighters Newsletter
Editor: Jim Mason
February 2010
I received several notes and letters this month and I will try to briefly pass them along below, but the one reoccurring theme in all of them was thanks for taking over from Gerry and what a tremendous job he did for a long time. I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank Gerry again. I mentioned it briefly in the January newsletter, but the more I get into this the more I appreciate the job Gerry did for ten years. He not only did a great job, he did it faithfully without complaining. Thank Gerry and Joanne!
I talked to Jim Pruitt from Arizona and helped him with a small problem. He needed some help from the Fire Department and said since he had been retired for 20 years, he probably wouldn't know anyone anymore. Jim makes his winter home in Surprise, Arizona. I was Jim's Engineer when he was a Lieutenant at #6 in 1988. I was only at #6 for a couple of months but enjoyed working with him. Jim sent me a thank you and stamp money. Jim served from 1-16-57 to 2-26-89.
Shirley, Jimmy Klier's widow sent stamp money and asked to be removed from the mailing list as she said "I really don't know any of the men and/or their families anymore". I worked with Jimmy at #7 in '86 and '87. I was a Firefighter and he was an Engineer on the pumper. I enjoyed his stories of the "old" days and his quick smile. When I became head of HazMat in '99, I was surprised to meet Jim's son Frank in the course of HazMat duties. He works for the State and knows everything there is to know about radiation. We enjoyed swapping stories about his dad. Thanks Mrs. Klier and we will miss you on our mailing list. Jimmy served from 4-1-61 thru 1-25-89.
I got an e-mail from Cheryl Fontanini, Harold Gable's daughter. She wanted to know where to send stamp money and money to put Harold's name on the Firefighter Memorial in Coralville. When Cheryl sent the money, she included a short note telling how much she and her family really miss Harold. The retirees will also miss Harold very much. Harold was always available to help with the mailings and would do an audit of the books every year for Gerry, along with Merle Wyant.
I received a phone call from Lloyd Axser and we talked for a long time about a lot of different things. He is living in Colorado and when he then sent me stamp money, he also sent me three pictures from the same perspective however taken in summer, fall and winter. I think they were taken from the front porch of his home and they are ABSOLUTELY stunning pictures! The only thing that tempered my enthusiasm was Lloyd's description of all the snow and the cold temperature. I used to work with a guy that always said "I hate snow and I hate anyone that likes snow". I am not quite to that point but getting close after this winter.
Lloyd served from 11-10-69 until 6-10-02.
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Received stamp money and a note from Phil Vorlander saying that he enjoys getting the Retirees Newsletter every month. He was Chief from 12-02 until 4-09. Phil and Linda make their home in Waunakee, Wisconsin.
I received a letter and stamp money from Gene Phillips. Gene gave me my promotion to Engineer as Assistant Chief and my Lieutenant bugle as Acting Chief. He was on the job from 7-1-59 until 2-7-96. I wasn't sure if I should put his news in this section or under Sick Call. Gene has slipped on the ice twice this winter and tore both right and left rotator cuffs, along with 2 broken ribs and accompanying bruises. He is going to have his first surgery on 2-19-10 with 3 months of recovery and rehab and then his 2nd surgery. So it looks like Gene's Harley is going to be gathering dust this year. I'm not sure after all his slips this winter, maybe he should get another bike with training wheels or give it up altogether! Just kidding Gene. I hope you bounce back quickly from your surgeries. He says Roger Johnson is still recovering from quadruple by-pass surgery and a couple of strokes. Gene is his chauffer right now, helping with grocery shopping etc. Just two old farts limping around together, his words not mine!
I received a note and money from Merle Wyant He says he enjoys the newsletter and will help if I need it. Merle served from 1-1-50 through 5-4-77. I never knew him on the job, as he retired the year before I started, however I have met and talked to him several times and enjoy his great can do attitude.
Received money and a note from Bill Banks. He was on the job just a short time, 9-1-63 to 5-27-68, but says he has many good thoughts and memories and still enjoys the newsletter. I look forward to meeting you sometime Bill.
I received money from John Quirk but no news. John was my Lieutenant and then Captain at #1 in the late 80's and early 90's. He really was a good officer but could sometimes exercise poor judgment, like tormenting Larry Matzke and squealing like a little girl when Larry retaliated. Just kidding John, you're the best!
Last month Linda and I did the labels just to see how long it would take if I got in a pinch and couldn't get any last minute help. It wasn't too bad. I didn't take her to Manhattan Deli like Gerry always did with everyone and now I may be in trouble. When Kay got the newsletter done we were under a blizzard warning, and rather than make anyone venture out, I put my truck in four wheel drive and slid down the hill to #6. Captain Pat "Bad" Crane and his crew helped me fold, stuff and seal the newsletter. Thanks to Aaron Bauch, Jesse Christensen, Ron Dycus, Dave Huntoon, Matt Palen, Rex Rankin and Ryan Waldkirch. They furnished the coffee and elbow grease and I furnished the newsletter stuff and the homemade brownies and ice cream. We had a great time, or at least I did.
Captain Timmy "Big Time" Hartman is retiring after 35 years on the job on 2-10-10. Timmy started with the Department on 2-10-75 and the" Big Time" label was hung on him by Jerry "Squirrel" Coy for Timmy's horse breaking prowess. Tim retires to Heepsville, Illinois on the Mississippi River. Sounds like the theme to “Deliverance” is playing in the background doesn't it. Enjoy your retirement Tim!
Coming up in the next few months, the first DROP retirees from the DMFD will be walking out the door. They will be Captain Charlie Cannon, Captain Rusty Youngquist, Engineer Al
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Wildrick and Engineer Tommy Wright. I will put out information on the open houses as I receive it.
Gerry Beckett sent me a picture from the DM Register of Marv Hollingshead, Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms for the Iowa Legislature. Marv started with the Department 8-16-59 and retired 11-8-82. He has spent the last 25 years with the Iowa Legislature. The photo in the paper was a good one. It made him look very studious and official.
Received an e-mail from Jim Walters and a link to an interesting article in his daughter's hometown newspaper. If you want to read the article you can find it at http://www.whig.com/story/news/Fire-Pension-ERI-Issues-011001. Jim was on the DMFD from 1-16-59 to 12-8-69.
I sent out an e-mail with a link to a photo in the DM Register old time photo of the day. If you haven't already seen it, below is the link to the site on the Register's website. I had numerous e-mail replies naming culprits in the photo. See how many you can identify. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100118/NEWS13/301180008/Old-time-photo-of-the-day-Jan.-18.
Attendees at the February breakfast were Bill Burke, Marv Baker, Joe Norris, Ray Morris, Jim Mason, Jerry Schneider, Gerry Beckett, Al Maupin, Don Fite, Gary Wright, Kenneth Barton, Ed Killin, John Dakovich, Bob Wing, Carl Adams and Nello Barbieri. I received money from Marv Baker and Al Maupin.
In November, Dick Kirchner had both of his knees replaced (at the same time). While he was recuperating in the hospital, they found fluid on his right lung. After many tests, they diagnosed him with lung cancer. His cancer has advanced to Stage 3. They were so shocked because there were no symptoms, except a shortness of breath when he came up from the dock. He is on his second round of chemo and so far it hasn't made him too ill, just fatigued. Soon he will have another CT scan to see if the chemo is working. I received a phone call from Dick last week and he is still tolerating chemo quite well. He wanted to thank everyone for the cards, letters and phone calls. He and Shirley are looking to sell their place and move into a townhouse to save on maintenance. Just waiting for the right opportunity.
