John Hilderbrand became a member of the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department on May 21, 1928.  On June 19, 1930, he was unanimously elected Fire Chief and served in that position until he retired from the Department in 1978 completing over fifty years of service.  Even after retiring as Fire Chief, he remained a member of the Rescue Squad.

He helped organize the Nebraska State Fire School that is still held every year in Grand Island and served on the Fire School Committee for many years. He is credited with organizing the rural fire and mutual aid districts as well as a rescue unit for rescue and recovery at Lake McConaughy.  He was also elected President of the Nebraska Fire Chief’s Association

John Hilderbrand is credited with a taking a “rather loosely-knit organization and developing an intensive training program for firefighters”. Under his leadership, the Department was noted for both their training and for maintenance of equipment.  He once said that with care, fire trucks would not wear out-but they would become outdated and obsolete.

The 1999 Recognition Committee feels that John Hilderbrand served with exceptional distinction in the history of this Department and deserves his place in the Hall of Fame.

Respectfully,

Dion Neumiller           Kevin Block            Rod Shelburne

On March 13, 1969, Carl Clinton McQueen was one of three members elected by “raise of hands” and sworn into the Department.  He was a very active member of the Department and held several elected positions.  He served on the Executive Board in 1974 and 1975.  In 1975, he was Lieutenant of Company number one.  He had served six years and four months when he was killed in the line of duty.

            On July 28, 1975, at 2:47 a.m., the Department responded to a boxcar fire on the Union Pacific siding on the east edge of Ogallala.  Clinton was attempting to open one of the doors of the north side of the boxcar filled with particleboard when it fell onto him.  He was the first and only Ogallala firefighter ever to lose his life while fighting fire.  Later that day at a Special Meeting, Secretary Lawarence Koenig recorded “Motion made by Walburn 2^nd Gary Bush to Place McQueen equipment in a case as a veterans remembrance carried”. The result of that motion is the sealed base of the trophy case located in the meeting room of the Department.

            In his memory, his wife Sondra established the guidelines for the Clinton McQueen Firefighter of the Year.  That award is presented each year to a worthy member of the Department.

            The 1999 Recognition Committee feels that Carl Clinton McQueen served with exceptional distinction in the history of this Department and deserves his place in the Hall of Fame.

Respectfully,

Dion Neumiller   Kevin Block   Rod Shelburne

Lawrence Koenig
2000
 

On February 17, 1966, Secretary Jack Martin recorded, "Application of Lawrence Koenig was taken up. A motion to suspend rules and cast a unanimous vote carried. President Weatherwax then called for a vote on application and was carried. Lawrence Koenig was then sworn into the Department."

Lawrence became an active member of the Department and served as President in 1970 and 1971. He also served as a Fire Lieutenant in 1970 and was elected Department Secretary in 1974 and held that position until he retired on January 8, 1980. He served the Department for 13 years and 11 months. Even after retiring from the Department, Lawrence continued to serve as the Southwest Mutual Aid Association’s secretary until he stepped down in February of 1999.

Chief John Hilderbrand once described Lawrence’s skills as a blacksmith as "invaluable in caring for the equipment. If we have a break down, he is one of the first to volunteer to help get it back in service. Too many times he will not take compensation for services and material which he is entitled to."

Lawrence was also credited as co-chairman for the spring Junior Fire Patrol program and was credited by President Virgil Beavers for keeping the program alive. Chief Hilderbrand also stated that Lawrence was "never too busy to help a youngster."

In addition to his time spent volunteering for the Fire Department, Lawrence was also actively involved as a member of the Ogallala Ambulance Squad, a Life Member of the Ogallala Optimist Club, member of the Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Saint Luke’s Catholic Church.

His service to the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department was exceptional on its own. His service to the community of Ogallala was outstanding and deserves recognition.

The 2000 Recognition Committee affirms that Lawrence Koenig’s service with exceptional distinction in the history of this Department, and honors this with induction in the Hall of Fame.

Respectfully,

On  July 11^th, 1963, Secretary Dale Westerbuhr recorded, "Walter Vath was voted into the Department and sworn in."

In 1967 Walt Vath held his first office within the Department as Vice President. He was later elected to the Executive Board in 1970. In 1975 two new officers were elected to Company #1. Walt Vath was elected Captain and Clinton McQueen was elected Lieutenant. Later that year, on July 28^th, both were on duty working the same fire when Lieutenant McQueen was killed in the line of duty. Walt again served as fire Lieutenant in 1983 and fire Captain in 1984, 1985 and 1986. In 1988 he was elected to his last office on the Executive Board. Walt retired from the Department on January 14^th, 1993.

In addition to holding elected offices Walt was also a "truck driver" and was always active with the Junior Fire Patrol program serving as chairman for a number of years. Not only did his participation in this program teach fire safety to area children he also inspired some of those same children to become fire-fighters when they grew up.

In addition to his volunteer service to the Department, Walt also volunteered for the Big Mac Sports Club, Muzzleloaders Club, and served as a Reserve Deputy with the Keith County Sheriff’s Office. In 1985, Keith County Sheriff Wayne Young stated in a letter to the Aksarben Awards Committee, "He exemplifies everything a city and county would want in a good citizen."

Although retired from the Department Walt continues to assist and support us in many ways each year. His service to this Department should not go unrecognized.

The 2001 Recognition Committee affirms Walt Vath’s service with exceptional distinction in the history of this Department, and honors this with induction in the Hall of Fame.

Respectfully,

On June 3rd, 1943, Secretary Roy D. Eiker recorded, "Application of Hugh Severns was read. President appointed Miller, L Mercer, Bunch as committee members they reported favorable. Motion made and carried to vote on Severns tonight. He was elected." Hugh Severns was placed on a waiting list that night because in 1943 the Department was limited to thirty-five members and a Chief and no openings were available. On August 5, 1943 Severns was finally initiated into the Department. The United States was at war and one of Severns first duties with the Department was to travel to North Platte, Nebraska on September 19, 1943, with thirty-two members, and work in the Canteen.

Hugh Severns first worked as a postal clerk and later he took the job of custodian for the Ogallala Post Office. He may have been best known for the roses that grew on the Post Office grounds. In 1966 the Ogallala Post Office received a Presidential Natural Beauty Citation. Post Master I. J. Gemmell credited Hugh’s work for this achievement.

Hugh was also active on the Department and served as Treasurer for eighteen years from 1958 to 1976. He was active with the Junior Fire Patrol and also instructed "mouth to mouth resuscitation once a week at the Goodall Cedar Point Girl Scout Camp during the summer of 1967. His duty to this Department spanned thirty-four years and 7 months.

The best description of Hugh is found in a 1967 letter from his minister Stanley D. Rider to the Aksarben nomination committee. Rider wrote of Hugh "Any honor that could come to him would be well deserved, and he will wear that honor with modesty and deep humility." His service to this Department should not go unrecognized.

The 2002 Recognition Committee affirms Hugh Severns’ service with exceptional distinction in the history of this Department, and honors this with induction in the Hall of Fame.

Respectfully,

On November 11^th, 1921 Roy Eiker answered a request published in the Keith County News for a need to reorganize the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department. Roy, and nine other "citizens", paid one dollar for dues and continued on with a Department that had been established in 1913. From the beginning Eiker was active in the Department and filled in where ever he was needed. On January 8^th, 1925 during a meeting at Ogallala Power Plant, Roy was appointed to serve on a committee that was placed in charge of purchasing "3 slickers, 3 pairs of boots and a dozen mittens" for members. One of Roy’s first jobs with the department was a "spanner" in 1925. He was later elected 2^nd Assistant Chief in 1929 and moved to "hydrant man" in 1930. Roy was first elected secretary in 1931. In 1936 Roy Eiker was the first ever elected President of the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department and served in that position for three years. Roy also served on the Executive Board for three years. Although not consecutive terms, Roy was elected the position of Secretary for eleven terms, the most of any person ever elected to the position.

Roy Eiker’s dedication to the fire service extended beyond Ogallala and he served on the Nebraska State Fire School committee from 1943 to 1994. For his outstanding commitment to the fire service in the State of Nebraska Roy was inducted into the Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighter’s Association Hall of Fame in 19 .

After serving his community for over thirty years Roy Eiker became an Honorary Firefighter. One of his last recorded acts for this Department was on May 6^th, 1954 when he presented Chief John Hilderbrand a watch for twenty-five years of service. His service to this Department should not go unrecognized.

The 2002 Recognition Committee affirms Roy Eiker’s service with exceptional distinction in the history of this Department, and honors this with induction in the Hall of Fame.

Respectfully,

On January 4^th, 1951, Secretary J.D. Lanigan removed the application for Richard Bacon from the waiting list.  President Ove Jensen then called for a vote on the application and the motion carried.  Richard M. Bacon was then sworn into the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department.

“Dick” became a very active member of the department and served on countless committees over the years including Chaplin.  He held the offices of Vice President and President numerous times and was elected to the Executive Board.  He also served as a Fire Lieutenant and Capitan from 1966 through 1980.  He served the Department for 44 years and 11 months.

His service to the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department was exceptional and steadfast.  Dick became the winner of the state “Ak-Sar-Ben” Award in 1980, recognizing outstanding accomplishments to the fire service presented at the Nebraska State Fire School.  Dick was also recognized by the department in 1989, when he received the “McQueen Award” for Firefighter of the Year.  His service to the community of Ogallala was outstanding and deserves recognition.

The 2003 Recognition Committee affirms that Richard “Dick” Bacon’s service with exceptional distinction in the history of this Department, and honors this with induction in the Hall of Fame.

Respectfully,

Mike Bell        Tim Frates         Kevin Klockman

On July 8^th, 1965, Secretary Jack Martin read the application for Ray Ballard.  A “motion was made to suspend rules and cast votes by usual voting sign”.  Raymond E. Ballard was unanimously voted into the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department, sworn in by President Darrell Bassett.

“Shorty” became an active member of the department and sat on various committees and boards.  In 1968, Ray was elected as Vice President, a position he held many times throughout the years.  He was elected to the Executive Board from 1975 to 1981.  But, his legacy within this department was his development and guidance of the “Interstate Volunteer Firefighting Tournament Team”.  A firefighting “skill” competition held annually between local teams from Sidney to Ogallala.  The events were hose and ladder events including the 150’ Relay, Ladder Climb and “Beach Ball” event, to an ax chopping “Cellar” event.  The competition was fierce and the training was passionate.  “Shorty was the driving force behind the tournament team” stated by then assistant chief Buck Bassett.

In 1976, Shorty was recognized by the department for his dedication to the city of Ogallala when he received the “McQueen Award”.  He was acknowledged again in 1992 with the “Fire Fighter of the Year” Award.  Shorty served the Department for 27 years and 10 months.  His service to the community of Ogallala was outstanding and deserves recognition.

The 2003 Recognition Committee affirms that Raymond “Shorty” Ballard’s service with exceptional distinction in the history of this Department, and honors him with induction in the Hall of Fame.

Respectfully,

Mike Bell       Tim Frates         Kevin Klockman

Jack Lanigan 2004

On October 7^th 1948, Jack Lanigan was “admitted” to the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department.  He quickly became an active member on the department and served on various committees before being elected as the Assistant Secretary in 1950 and then to Secretary in 1951 through 1953.  Jack holds the distinction of being appointed the very first Fire Capitan of Company #1 by Fire Chief John Hilderbrand in 1957 and held that position through 1968. In 1969 Jack was nominated to the position of Assistant Fire Chief, a position he held graciously until his retirement in 1980. He served this Department for 31 years and 9 months. 

Jack was known for his exuberance and love of a good time, but his service to the City of Ogallala and to the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department was exceptional and unwavering. He is recognized for his many years of leadership and commitment to the departments training programs.  Jack was also the winner of the states “Ak-Sar-Ben” Award, recognizing outstanding accomplishments to the fire service presented at the Nebraska State Fire School.  His service to the community of Ogallala was outstanding and deserves recognition.

The 2004 Recognition Committee affirms that Jack Lanigan’s service with exceptional distinction in the history of this Department, and honors this with induction in the Hall of Fame.

Respectfully,

Bill Fortune         Tim Frates             Kevin Klockman

Robert Darnell 2004

“On February 9^th 1967, an application for membership from Robert Jud Darnell was read. A motion was made by Roy Darling and seconded by Jack Ringer to accept the application. A further motion was made by Dick Bacon and seconded by R. L. Karlin to suspend the rules and accept the application unanimously”.  On March 9^th 1967, “Bob” was sworn into the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department.

Bob was elected to the executive board in 1972 through 1974, then again in 1997 through 1999.   He held the positions of Fire Lieutenant #1 & #2 working up the ranks to Fire Captain in both Company #1 & #2 starting in 1974 through 1987.  Bob served this Department for 33 years and 3 months.    

Bob’s personnel file is full of the training he received in service to the City of Ogallala and to the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department at many statewide fire exercises, but this only tells of the instruction he received, not testifying to the leadership and guidance he passed on to the members of this department throughout his career.  As a training officer Bob was passionate about the trade he had chosen and he projected his knowledge and enthusiasm about the fire service with equal excitement when he taught.  Bob became the winner of the states “Ak-Sar-Ben” Award in 1998, recognizing outstanding accomplishments to the fire service presented at the Nebraska State Fire School. Bob was also recognized by the department in 1978 and again in 1999, when he received the “McQueen Award” for Firefighter of the Year.  Bob was also acknowledged by the state of Nebraska with an “Ak-Sar-Ben” Heroism Award for service above and beyond the line of duty in 1978. Bob’s dedication continues today, as he still puts out the Fire Department Flags on the graves at the cemetery every year on Memorial Day and also puts out the plagues to hold the flags, on the graves whenever a firefighter dies. His service to the community of Ogallala was outstanding and deserves recognition.

The 2004 Recognition Committee affirms that Robert “Bob” Darnell’s service with exceptional distinction in the history of this Department, and honors this with induction into the Hall of Fame.

Respectfully,

Bill Fortune         Tim Frates             Kevin Klockman

Theodore "Ted" Sutton 2005

At a meeting “called to order by Chief John Hildebrand, the committee reported favorably” to except Theodore A. Sutton on July 5^th 1945, into the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department.  He was an active member of the department and served on several committees before being elected Vice President in 1947.  The following year he was elected as the departments President. Ted was selected as the Secretary in 1956. In 1957 he was appointed to the Executive Board, where he served a second term from 1961 through 1963. In total, Theodore Sutton served this department for 25 years and 1 month. 

Ted’s service to the City of Ogallala and to the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department was exceptional. He is also recognized for his commitment to the department’s fire police program.  His service to the community of Ogallala was outstanding and deserves recognition.

The 2005 Hall of Fame Committee affirms that Theodore “Ted” Sutton served with exceptional distinction in the history of the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department, and honors this with induction into the departments Hall of Fame.

Respectfully,
Darrell “Buck” Bassett               Bill Fortune 

 

 

Rick Niles 2005

“The meeting was called to order by President Trosper, with a prayer and roll call” on July 14^th 1977.  With a motion made by Chief John Hildebrand and seconded by Dick Bacon, Rick Niles was sworn into the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department.  Rick was an active member of the department being elected to the Executive Board in 1978 and again in 1980-81 and again in 1990-92.  Rick was Vice President in 1979 and 1982.  He was an elected Line Officer from 1979 through 1995, holding the positions of Lieutenant of Company #1 & #2 and Captain of Company #1 & #2, always going where he was needed.   In total, Rick Niles served this department until his death, in 1995, for 18 years and 5 months. 

Rick started his firefighting career in West Point, Nebraska in 1971, at the age of 18, joining the West Point Volunteer Fire Department. He left the West Point Fire Department in 1976 when he took a job with the Ogallala Police Department. Rick was also a dedicated member of the Nebraska State Fire Marshall’s Office, as the Underground Storage Tank Inspector from August 14^th 1989 until February 25^th 1995.  In May of 1995 at the Nebraska State Fire School, Rick’s Badge # 8736 was retired from The State Fire Marshals Office, being the first and only Badge Number to ever receive such an honor.  He has been recognized twice as the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Departments’ “McQueen Award” winner in 1981 and again in 1994.  Rick is known as an outspoken member of this department, but is also remembered for his willingness to help a fellow fireman whenever asked.  “He would often battle for what he thought was right, and not necessarily who he thought was right”.

Rick’s service to the City of Ogallala and to the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department was exceptional and unwavering. He is recognized for his many years of commitment to the departments training programs and specifically mentoring new members.  His service to the community of Ogallala was outstanding and deserves recognition.

The 2005 Hall of Fame Committee affirms that Rick Nile’s service with exceptional distinction in the history of this Department, and honors this with induction in the Ogallala Hall of Fame.

Respectfully,

Darrell “Buck” Bassett              Bill Fortune 

Darrell "Buck" Bassett 2005

“At the departments regular meeting, called to order by President Armstrong” on March 14^th 1963, Darrell Gene Bassett’s application was voted on by ballot and was “carried by ballot”.  Buck Bassett was unanimously voted into the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department, sworn in by President Thurman Armstrong, Vice President Don Weist and Fire Chief John Hilderbrand.

“Buck” became an extraordinarily energetic member of the department, elected to virtually every committee, board and office, many of them at the same time. His rise through the department is unprecedented.  An example of this is the fact he was elected President of the department a year after joining in 1964 and again in 1965, a position he held 14 times. Buck has held a significant position each and every year he has been a member and it is indeed impossible to find a major development in the departments’ history, that he hasn’t helped orchestrate or had a direct impact on, an achievement that is as true today as it ever was.  He was elected

 President 3 times, Vice President twice, Captain of Co. #1 – twice, Treasurer, executive board member and Assistant Chief, before being appointed the Ogallala Fire Chief in 1992. Chief Bassett has also been very active throughout Nebraska, holding positions in the NSVFA, including President and Executive Board member. He was President of the Nebraska Fire Chief’s Association and is currently the Secretary, and he is the past President of the Southwest Mutual Aid District and he continues to lobby at the state capital for fire related legislation and communication improvements. But, his legacy within this department is his leadership and guidance to the men and women that follow him.  Many times he has demonstrated his love for this department and we for him. Buck Bassett has been a leader, an instructor, a mentor and an inspiration, to the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department and to all the volunteer fire departments in the state of Nebraska.

In 1977 Buck was recognized by the department for his dedication to the fire service when he received the “McQueen Award”.  Among the many other awards bestowed on him throughout his fire service career, he has also won the states VFIS “Firemanship Award”, given to the top firemen from across Nebraska, not only once, but twice. Darrell Bassett has served the Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department for 43 years and 3 months.  Buck and his wife Jacque’s service to the community of Ogallala is exceptional and unwavering and deserves recognition.

The 2005 Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department affirms that Darrell “Buck” Bassett’s service with exceptional distinction in the history of this Department, and honors this with the induction into the Ogallala Hall of Fame.

Respectfully,

The Ogallala Volunteer Fire Department