On Sept. 13, longtime fire chief of the Cariboo Regional District’s (CRD) Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department (VFD), Bob Felker, lost his battle to cancer.
It is a great loss to the CRD and the fire department to lose such a dedicated volunteer who served for 34 years with the Forest Grove VFD. Chief Felker leaves a significant void of knowledge, skills, experience and leadership for others to fill.
He joined the Forest Grove fire department on Oct. 1, 1982. The fire service was his number 1 passion in life.
He brought his technical and electrical aptitude to the fire hall and created a living hall that literally turns itself on and off when an emergency call comes in.
In the fire service, the Forest Grove Fire Hall is affectionately called “Gadget Grove.”
In October 2015, Felker was diagnosed with cancer. He stayed on duty as fire chief until he could no longer spare his energy to anything other than the fight for his life.
Unfortunately, it was a fight he was not destined to win. He leaves behind his wife, his family, his fire department and his brotherhood.
The CRD is submitting an application to recognize his passing as a Line of Duty Death by the Canadian Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation based on the length of his service and the type of cancer he suffered from.
A memorial service for Fire Chief Bob Felker will be held exactly 34 years from the date he joined the fire service.
The service will be at the Forest Grove Community Hall on Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. All are welcome.
Prior to the service, a procession of fire and first responder vehicles will be driving from 100 Mile House to Forest Grove.
The family has asked that donations be made in lieu of flowers to the 100 Mile District General Hospital’s Oncology Unit in memory of Fire Chief Bob Felker.