Chief's Corner Archive

Dick Otte: A friend of mine, but greater friend of all firefighters

Posted on May 12, 2006 by >Charlie Dickinson, Acting Assistant Administrator, USFA

On May 17th, I'll be traveling to the Kennett Square Volunteer Fire Department near Philadelphia to honor someone to whom I respect and simply owe a lot - Dick Otte. I also am aware, I am not alone. No matter where we are or what we do in this firefighting business, all of us have been affected by Dick's life-long involvement and passion for the fire service - and I share with so many the heart-felt sorrow for his loss.

You see, forty-four years ago, Dick and Sandy Otte were neighbors of mine in San Lorenzo, CA, near Oakland. Those who knew Dick personally will understand when I say we became instant friends. At the time, Dick worked for Factory Mutual Insurance Company performing industrial fire protection insurance inspections. My career choice at that time was as an overhead electrical lineman for Pacific Gas and Electric. I loved the work. We also both served in the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and even umpired Little League games together.

It didn't take long to figure out Dick's interest and love of the fire service was no small matter. It was contagious! Oh, I loved my job (climbing to my work, as they said in those days), but as I listened to Dick's enthusiasm about the fire service, and his heart-felt love and respect for all firefighters, my interest grew more and more. It would come to pass, sometime in mid-summer of '62, Dick shared with me a newspaper advertisement from the city of Hayward, seeking to hire firefighters. I thought being a lineman was the best job in the world. That all changed the first time I walked into a firehouse, knowing I might someday have the opportunity to be a firefighter. Why I was so lucky to get hired, I'll never really know. So it began, in that October of 1962, thanks to Dick's coaching and encouragement, I climbed down from that power pole and up onto a fire truck and have been riding in one capacity or another, for the past 36 years.

In our lives we have those very special people and moments where one's life is changed. Dick changed mine, and I could never have been more thankful. Although our careers moved us to different places, throughout the years we always stayed in touch, holding fast to our friendship, and catching up to visit at various conferences and conventions. Dick was a friend and inspiration to many of us. I was blessed to be one of those who were touched by this talented man.

It may be of great interest just how many firefighters, without ever meeting him personally, knew of his love for the fire service. Dick's contributions during his career include the early development and marketing of Ansul Chemical Company's "Twin Agent Light Water" system, a key position in the development for George Hurst of what we know today as the "Hurst Tool." Dick brought the Curtis-Wright Power Hawk P-16 to the fire service. He served on NFPA's Rescue Tools Committee, and was instrumental in improving motor sports fire safety. I have yet to see the firefighter who can open up a car quicker, more efficiently, and safer than Dick could - and how many did he teach how to do it? We will never know the total number of lives touched and saved as a result of his involvement, but it's extensive to be sure. And the list of his accomplishments with other fire projects and activities goes on and on. So often we are too quick to remember the front-line men and women of the fire service, without realizing and taking time to thank the countless others working behind the curtains to make our jobs, our communities and all of our lives safer.

The fire service has witnessed the passing of too many icons recently, among them Jim Page, and Tom Brennan. Each of these counted among the many men and women who have had a huge impact in our business of fire, rescue and EMS, and have left their memories and contributions on every apparatus floor in this nation.

And now we've lost Dick Otte, who had his own way of making a difference in what we do, by committing his life to improving, and providing tools and equipment, as well as the training to go along with them. We are so fortunate that Dick's interest and love for the fire service brought him where so many could share in the joy of knowing him. I've been truly blessed, for he was also my friend!

Right now, I imagine Dick's up there, wearing that little grin, telling someone, "I've got this crazy idea - but let me show you!" In this business, everyone can make a positive difference. He sure did.

To Sandi, and all of the Otte family, we loved Dick and miss him, too. And we thank you for sharing him with us all these years.

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