Bob Redfern has stories to tell and memories to recount about his time on the Galesburg Fire Department.
Redfern – who will turn 100 next month – is the oldest living retired firefighter in Galesburg, and was recognized Tuesday with lunch and a party at the Central Fire Station.
Redfern says he’s grateful for current and former firefighters remembering him, and tells WGIL he remembers one really big fire in particular, among all the others.
“There were a lot of big fires we had in Galesburg, especially at the (Galesburg Public) library,” said Redfern. “It happened the day my son was born.”
The fire in 1958, one of the most destructive in the city’s history, claimed the former Carnegie library. What was originally to be a temporary structure was put up in its place, being replaced this year with the brand new multi-million dollar facility on West Main Street.
Former Galesburg Fire Chief John Cratty says he didn’t work too often with Redfern because of schedules. But Cratty says he sure does remember when he did.
“I will never forget the days I worked with him, sitting down for lunch, getting our lunch out that we
brought from home,” said Cratty. “He was one of the healthiest eaters I had ever seen. I looked at the junk I was eating, and I looked at what he was eating, and I thought ‘He’s got something going for him. He’s going to be around for a long, long time.'”
And lest you think Redfern always eats healthy, we did see a cupcake on his plate Tuesday.
Redfern – related to WGIL’s Jay Redfern — got, among other gifts, an Illinois House resolution from State Representative Dan Swanson.
“WHEREAS, Bob Redfern began working for the Galesburg Fire Department in November 1955, serving at Central Station for seven years before spending the remainder of his career at the Brooks Street Station, retiring in July 1979….” part of the resolution reads. Swanson read the resolution in whole Tuesday.
But, about that Galesburg Public Library fire Redfern responded to in 1958. Was he hesitant at all to respond to that fire, given that his son was just born?
No. Not really.
“My wife, she was a nurse…(my son) was up in Cottage Hospital. A nurse came out, she knew I worked at the fire department. I went home, got my boots and stuff, and reported to the fire,” said Redfern, laughing.
