Retirees' News Letter

Retired Fire Fighters Newsletter
February 2012
Jim Mason Editor

My best friend and I have been friends for many decades. Over the years we have shared all kinds of activities and adventures. Lately, our activities have been limited to meeting a few times a month to play cards or eat lunch. Last week we were playing cards when he looked at me and said, "Now don't get mad ....I know we've been friends for a long time.....but I just can't think of your name! I've thought and thought, but I can't remember it. Please tell me your name."  I glared at him. For at least three minutes I just stared and glared at him. Finally I said, "How soon do you need to know?" Just kidding, my memory isn't that bad …..yet!

On September 7, 2011, my wife and I became grandparents for the first time. My son, Jason and his wife, Julie had an 8lb.13oz. 20 inches long, baby girl. Her name is Ansley Marie Mason, and I am proud to say she is the cutest thing I have EVER seen. Jason is a Fire Medic at Station #6 and has served since Oct of '06. My sister sent me some quotes about grandparents and this is one of my favorites: "Grandparents are similar to a piece of string - handy to have around and easily wrapped around the fingers of their grandchildren." Author Unknown

We went to #6 on January 9th to fold letters and insert them into envelopes. Captain Pat Crane was our host. Helpers were: Carl "Timmy" Holt, John Dakovich, Ed Killin, Phil McClaskey and Bill Burke. I received stamp money from Timmy Holt.

I went over to #5 on Jan. 14th for ham and beans. The beans were great and the company wasn't too bad either. Phil McClaskey, Vern Randolph, Dale Wilson, Maureen Burke and myself were all guests of Captain Doug Burke and crew. Mark "Clete" Pavelka was off that day so Dougie Burke made the beans and invited his wife. Yes, they are related to Bill Burke. Doug, his son, has served since 04/13/81. I am not sure when we would have left the station because we were enjoying reminiscing so much. The crew got an alarm so we figured we had better go out the door too. We were there a couple of hours and they didn't even once ask us to leave. Thanks to the crew at #5 for putting up with the old guys. I received stamp money from Phil McClaskey.

Received stamp money from Barbara Knight along with her new address but no news. She is still living in Gilbert, Arizona but just moved into some new "digs". Barbara is the widow of Harold Knight who served from 04/01/59 until 01/15/94 when he retired as an Engineer. I never worked with "H", but heard many good things about him over the years from the guys who did. He drove the Attack wagon for many years. It was a sad day when we retired the Attack mini-pumpers because they were a lot of fun to use.  When you were assigned to the Attack, it seemed like you were at a fire ALL the time. They put out a bunch of fires before the rest of the rigs arrived! "H" passed away on 10/20/10.

Dwight Harrington sent stamp money but no news. Dwight was in Car #53, the east-side DC when I was assigned to #7 on the 1st Division. I was shipped out a lot and wasn't assigned there very long so I didn't really work for Dwight much at all. Of course, me being a Lieutenant, I didn't deal with him much because if he needed something, he just went to the Captain. I just remember that he just wanted you to do your job and not rock the boat! I never was much of a boat rocker; I left that for other guys! (I won't name any names here because I have to keep the newsletter under 50 pages!) Dwight served from 04/16/57 until 01/02/94 when he retired as a District Chief.  He still makes his home on the northeast side of Des Moines.

Also received stamp money from John Quirk but no news. I haven't seen John since he retired as a Captain on 03/19/90 after serving since 07/12/65. John was my Lieutenant and Captain when I worked at #1. It was a great shift to work on and good guys to work with. We played racquetball every chance we could and there was always something going on. John was a good officer to work for and we had a good crew. I always hated to go on vacation because I was worried I would miss something. The guys always hated it when I went on vacation too because it seemed as if they would always have a big fire when I was gone. They were beginning to think I was a part-time arsonist because of the way the fires were occurring whenever I wasn't there. However, the Fire Prevention Bureau could never prove a thing (just kidding!).

After telling about Agnes Fisher turning 100 in the last newsletter, I got an e-mail from John George. He said his mother turned 100 on February 7th and still lives on her own.  He also asked me if I got all the names memorized. At first I was confused at what he meant and then I remembered what I was doing this time last year. I was a doorkeeper for the Iowa House of Representatives. Well, that career lasted just one session. Although I enjoyed my time there, it was just a little too time consuming. Whenever the Reps were in the House, the doorkeepers had to be there also. Several days they debated to all hours of the night and I wanted a little more freedom. So I didn't go back this year. So thanks for asking John but my political career was a short one! John and Nyla still make their home down thar in hillbilly country. John retired as an Engineer 07/16/01 after serving since 07/16/73.

Marge Connors sent stamp money but no news. She did say she enjoys the newsletter, but that was all. I never worked with John because he retired just a week and a half before I started on the job. John Connors served from 03/01/50 until 12/31/77 when he retired as a Captain. We lost the BEST friend the firefighters ever had in the Iowa Legislature in 2009 at the age of 89. Marge still makes her home on the east side of Des Moines.

Ray and Maryellen Hoefer were on their way home from Florida when they had quite a detour. They were on I-75 in Florida just for a few miles when they saw traffic cones taking them off the interstate. They then ended up going about l00 miles out of their way. But as you no doubt saw on the national news there was a terrible accident caused by the fire and fog. 12 people died in the pileup and more in the hospital. So I guess the Hoefer's were glad they were not there when it happened. Glad you guys made it safe back to Maggie Valley N.C.

I got an e-mail from Shirley Kirchner saying that Dick has finally entered the 21st century. Seems he has his own laptop computer and e-mail address now. She said he spends most of his time on the computer playing solitaire but it could be worse, I guess. He could be playing cards at the casino and losing all his pension checks! Dick and I worked together at #2 in the mid 90's on the 2nd Division. He retired as a Lieutenant 06/15/96 after serving since 03/20/70.

Rich Jenkins sent stamp money and a short note. He says that he is trying out a new sport, pedestrian polo. So far the score is Jenks 0. The pedestrians are just too fast for his electric wheelchair. Guess you'll have to get overdrive installed, Rich if you are going to take anyone out!  He and Jan have been on a couple of cruises and had a blast! He also said that the guys and their wives (no girlfriends) are welcome to stop down any time. Just call first to make sure that they aren't on another cruise. He said the fridge and freezer are always full, along with the liquor cabinet. You'll get your own bedroom and bath too. Sounds better than a Holiday Inn! (cheaper too!) Rich and Jan still make their home in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Rich served from 07/16/61 until 01/02/94 when he retired as a Captain.

Merle Wyant said he liked the newsletter and it was about time he proved it. So he sent along a check for stamp money as approval! Merle retired the year before I started, so he will have been retired 35 years in May! He served from 03/01/1950 until 05/04/77 and retired as a Lieutenant. I haven't talked to him in quite a spell so I don't know how he is doing as of late. Last time we talked he was rehabbing from surgery by walking in his basement. That kept him from trying to have to make it out to the mall. The way things are going with Southridge, there won't be anyone to turn the lights on in the morning so the retirees can walk. Last time I was out there, you could shoot a cannon through the place and not hit anyone! Anyway, Merle still makes his home on the south side over on South Union.

I tore the meniscus in my left knee last year and it has been bothering me more and more. So on Jan 18th, I had outpatient surgery. I was out to the surgeon’s office for follow-up and Bobby Thompson (BR-549) was sitting and guarding the front door. He said that he had stamp money for me. When I got home there was an envelope in the mail from him, wow talk about fast! Actually, I think his wife Madeline had sent it a couple of days before, either that or the postal service is getting a lot better since they raised the price of postage. Madeline said Bobby has worked at Iowa Orthopedics for 13 years now. They moved about four years ago and are now on the WDM side of Waukee, about three miles from where they used to live. They live in a new manufactured home area, in a country setting and it sounds real nice. They are enjoying taking cruises and are scheduled for their 5th this spring, a 2 week cruise to Alaska. Bobby served from 04/01/61until 01/21/89.

The monthly breakfast at Home Plate Diner was Feb 7th. Attendees were: Dale Wilson, Ed Killin, Bill Burke, Jerry Schneider, Don Fite, Gerry Beckett, Ken Barton, Al Maupin, Pat Murray, Gary Wright, Ted Strait, Bob Wing, Maynard Boatwright, Carl Adams, Bob Williams and myself. I received stamp money from Dale Wilson and Bob Wing. The next breakfast will be March 6th so drop on by. We are supposed to start at 7AM but they open at 6AM so there are guys there when the door opens. We stay until 8 or 9 some months so you don't have to be an early bird. Just come on out and let's fill up all the tables in the back room!

Thoughts of the Day

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?                                  

                                    or
What disease did cured ham actually have?

The Des Moines Social Club (DMSC), a non-profit arts and education center aimed at the retention and recruitment of young people and fostering a home for the local arts, is pursuing a permanent home in Fire Station #1 once it is vacated later this year. DMSC plans to historically preserve the building and is looking to form a committee of present and retired firemen to advise on the restoration of the project. In addition, DMSC plans to honor the department by creating an artistic mural made of 80 years of memorabilia to honor all those who have served in the department from 1938 to present, and DMSC would appreciate feedback on what firefighters might want to see included in this. DMSC is asking for the support of Local #4 as they continue to negotiate with the City of Des Moines. Since 2009, DMSC has welcomed over 100,000 patrons into their over 250 annual events of theatre, live music, art openings, professional wrestling, dance events, trivia nights, ping pong tournaments and educational classes. If you are interested in helping, please contact Executive Director Zachary Mannheimer at zmannheimer@desmoinessocialclub.org or 515-333-3994. Should the DMSC take possession of #1 they intend to use Union labor for the remodel and updating of the building. There will be at least one other proposal for the station but that group does not sound like they are planning on historically preserving the station.

Save the Date

Thursday, May 17th will be the Annual DMFD breakfast at Station #1. This will be the last year at 9th and Mulberry because they have started on the new station and it will be completed before May of 2013. Don't forget to mark it on your calendar. Come out and renew old acquaintances, eat on the City for free and just plain have fun. See you then!

Sick Call

Gerry Beckett was out to Vets Hospital visiting Tom O'Brien, who was in for some tests recently. The staff was bringing someone into the room and asked Gerry to step out for a moment while they got the new person settled in. While he was in the hall, someone called his name. He turned to look and it was Roger Greever. Roger broke his hip and was a patient at VA. They had put a couple of pins in the hip and it sounds like he is doing OK. I haven't seen Tom since he retired 08/29/83 after serving since 12/16/54. I hope you are well! I see Roger at the monthly breakfast when he makes it out. By the way Roger, Home Plate Diner serves cinnamon rolls now so come on back out to the monthly breakfast when you are able. Roger served from 03/16/61 until 05/14/90.

Recent Losses

Barbara Lee Boatwright, 87, died Tuesday, January 10, 2012. Services were Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 3100 Easton Blvd. Barbara was born February 2, 1924, in Pittsburgh, PA, to Mary Lee (Barth) and Louis Lawrence "L.L." Moorman. She earned her MSW at Univ. of Pittsburgh, where she met and married Harry Frantz in 1948. They had two sons: Gary Dean and Steven Kirk. After Harry and Barbara's divorce, she continued to work for Iowa Children and Family Services in Des Moines, IA, and there she met Maynard Leo Boatwright. They wed August 6, 1960, and Barbara became stepmother to Maynard's three children: Dan Maynard, Michael Dean, and Cynthia May.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Maynard; her brothers, James (Brenda) Moorman and Buckner Moorman; her sons, Dan, Michael (Cindy), Gary, and Steven (Colleen) Boatwright; her daughter, Cynthia (Mark) Perkins; grandchildren, Jennifer (Chad) Peterson, Kevin (Chris) Mann, Jennifer (Pete) Kellis, Eric (Laura) Boatwright, Jennifer (Scott Cheskiewicz) Boatwright, Jodine (Aaron Loehrlein) Perkins, Tony (Amy) Perkins, Michael Boatwright, and Sara Boatwright; great-grandchildren, Alex and Ty Peterson, Peyton and Kamryn Kellis, Griffin and Katherine Mann, Casey and Kileigh Boatwright, and Eleanor Loehrlein. Barbara's parents and siblings, L. Lawrence Moorman, William Ross, and Betsy Bryant preceded her in death. Husband, Maynard retired as a District Chief from the DMFD 04/03/87 after serving since  07/16/51.