News : Always the Chief: In Memory of Dave Hite

Firefighters will join mourners paying their last respects to former Fire Chief Dave Hite, Dec. 29.

Despite the illness that robbed him of his health and forced his early retirement from both his job in the insurance business and his roles on the Vinton Fire Department, Dave Hite continued to earn the respect and admiration of his former fellow fighters until the very end.

That end came on Sunday, Dec. 21, when Dave passed away at the Virginia Gay Hospital Nursing and Rehab Center after his long battle with ALS.

Dave served the VFD for more than 30 years, beginning in 1961. He served as Chief for a decade, from January 1980 until January 1990. Even after his retirement as chief, he still remain involved in a variety of ways.

Dave retired in in 1998 from Wilson-Hite Insurance, although he continued to work part-time until 2003. He and his wife, Marcia, were long time members of the Cedar Sailors Boat Club, a group of area residents who spent as much time as possible together on the river during the warm months of the year. Marcia still has the decades old t-shirt that the Cedar Sailors wore years ago.

Marcia told me, in 2008, as she helped the Cedar River RATS with their first annual river clean-up, how difficult it had been to sell the boat that held so many memories for Dave and Marcia and their friends.

And Dave and Marcia had many, many friends. Although Dave was a tavern owner, another other tavern owner at that time said that Dave was not a competitor, but rather a friend who happened to be in the same business.

Naturally, some of Dave's best friends were the men who served with him on the VFD.

The firefighters kept in touch with the Hites over the years, and had some unique opportunities to honor Dave and Marcia in 2013.

In April of last year, the Vinton Women’s Club named Marcia its Woman of the Year. Many firefighters joined the VWC in celebrating Dave and Marcia’s important role in many areas of Vinton life.

"She was like a second mother to me," recalled firefighter Charlie Garwood that evening. Charlie said that Marcia and Dave made him feel so much at home he would just walk in their house without knocking and head straight to the fridge. Marcia was involved with the VFD as well, helping in many events and event at times competing in the women’s waterball events. Friends recalled Marcia's years as the nozzlewoman on a four-member waterball team, one of four woman who wore their husband's helmets, boots and heavy jackets while aiming the spray of a hose at a barrel attached to a cable overhead.

Then in September 2013, when firefighters from throughout Iowa gathered for the annual IFA Convention, local firefighters made sure the parade route wound past VGH, where they knew Dave and Marcia would sit outside to watch.

In a spontaneous tribute that moved many to tears, the firemen stopped the parade to honor Dave.

“They guys were pulling the pumper, and when they got it around the corner, they abandoned it," recalls Marcia. "They all came over and shook Dave’s hand. And even the honorary and retired firefighters stood and saluted.”

The tribute was emotional, moving both the Hites and the firemen honoring them to tears.

“It was just blew me away,” Marcia told me afterwards. “The firemen put a smile on Dave’s face.”

Dave and Dale Garwood signed up as firefighters in early 1961. Dave eventually became a captain and held other offices before they asked him to serve as chief 34 years ago.

Dave was one of the firefighters injured in the explosion at Hilda's flower shop in July of 1974, suffering a severe leg injury when he was blown off a ladder. Yet he recovered and returned to serve the department for two more decades.

“Needless to say the guys just love us,” said Marcia. “They come often to visit him, and they are there to help if we need anything.”

After that tribute, Tom Boeckmann – who will deliver the eulogy at Dave’s funeral – shared a poem called “Always the Chief.”

Now that Dave’s gone, the firemen have one last opportunity to show how much they loved their Chief.

And, as the firemen who served with him remember so well, Dave would advise them as they prepare to attend his funeral, to “Drive slow and dress warm.” That quote is etched in the statue of a firefighter that stands guard outside the Vinton Fire Station.

Dave Hite’s funeral will take place Monday at Wesley United Methodist Church. See his obituary HERE.

Below is the poem Boeckmann shared in honor of Dave Hite:

He'll always be THE CHIEF, a name he's earned with pride,
even when his term is over, and he must step aside.

His rise through the ranks to this pinnacle of success
took years of special training...a dedication few possess.

Many are remembered who've worked with him along the way,
a joy to all--by sharing this special day.

His lungs have tasted toxic fumes, his skin has felt the flame,
aches and bruises went hand-in-hand, like thunder in the rain.

As a soldier of good Florian, our Patron Saint of old,
he's fought his share of battles, too numerous to unfold.

Destiny makes us brothers, he'll never be alone,
what he sent into lives of others, has come back into his own.

From those who've worked beside him, its said with found belief,
May God be with him always...and he'll always be THE CHIEF.