By: Sue Kramer
LAMBERTVILLE – About 40 members of the Fire Department gathered at the Young Men’s Club Saturday night to bid farewell to longtime member David Owen, who is moving to Fairfax, Va., today. Mr. Owen, 42, is a 20-year member of the Fleet Wing Fire Company and 14-year member of the Board of Fire Commissioners.
"It’s a very sad night for the Fleet Wing Fire Company," said George Slack, fire chief and company president. "To give you a brief history, Dave joined the company in 1980. I was a junior member in the company at the time and we both moved through the ranks together. Dave has served as a lieutenant, captain, vice president, president – and he’s faithfully served on the Fire Commission for many, many years.
"He’s been very instrumental in bringing both the Fleet Wing Fire Company and the Lambertville Fire Department into the 1990s and now into the next millennium," Mr. Slack continued. "He’s been chairman of the SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) Committee at least 10 to 12 years. He was instrumental in starting that.
"He helped the Fleet Wing out when we bought our first computer, and a couple more computers since then – he brought us into the computer age.
"During all this time, he’s had a very supporting wife, Sharon, and his two sons, Steven (18) and Brian (15)."
"Dave," Mr. Slack continued, "we’d like to wish you and your family the best of luck. I know whatever fire company you join down there in Virginia is going to have a great guy and it’s very sad to see you leave.
"Dave has always been very involved in the fund-raising activities of the Fleet Wing, and he’s our actual ‘fry guy’ at the carnival. And also during company banquets, he’s gone back to peel potatoes to make homemade mashed potatoes. He’s always been a great hand in the kitchen."
In the tradition of the Fire Department, where honored members are presented with a "gag" gift to commemorate a special event or ability, Mr. Owen was presented with a personalized potato peeler inscribed, "Dave." Mr. Owen also was presented with a plaque honoring his dedication and years of service to the department.
"I consider it a privilege to have lived in Lambertville for the past 20 years," Mr. Owen said. "Most people in my line of work don’t have the opportunity to live in one place for that long. I was fortunate to pick the right place to live when I got the job with Mobil. I think my children have enjoyed living here – it’s a good place to raise kids.
"It’s a good Fire Department to be in," he continued. "I came from a big department in Maryland, and we were all progressive and everything, and I thought when I came up here, maybe they’ll be a little behind the times. But you weren’t. You were right up there with the best of them. I’m very proud to have been a member of this department for this long.
"I’d like to thank the people I’ve served with in the department and on the Fire Commission. I’ve enjoyed my time here. And," he added, "I’ll cherish my personalized potato peeler."
Tom Markey, chief of the New Hope Eagle Fire Company, also presented Mr. Owen with a plaque. He praised Mr. Owen’s dedication to the fire service and thanked him for the many times he helped the Eagle Fire Company fight fires in Bucks County.
Ronald Tillett Sr., Fire Commission chairman and former Lambertville fire chief, said, "On behalf of the Fire Commission, certainly your years in the Fire Commission have been instrumental in keeping the Fire Commission up on top. Like you say, Lambertville is a very special city in Hunterdon County and you have certainly aided in that by keeping the Fire Commission on top.
"In all honesty," he continued, "it took two people to replace Dave. So, on behalf of the Fire Commission, thank you very much for your years. It’s all been appreciated and we thank you very much."
Fire Chief Ronald Tillett Jr. said of Mr. Owen, "You are going to be missed. It’s unfortunate for us that we lose you and fortunate for the folks down in Virginia to get you."
He then made a quip about receiving phone calls from fire departments in Virginia inquiring into Mr. Owen’s capabilities.
"I told them they’re in fine shape," he said. "If there’s anything we can do, just give us a call – we’re only five hours away."
Fire Commission Vice Chairman John Howell also praised Mr. Owen and said, "You’re a great low-keyed man. As a matter of fact, I was going to ask your family – I don’t ever remember you getting mad – perhaps your family can tell me something!
"I always enjoyed working with you," he continued, "and think you did a fabulous job with the Fire Commission and helping other fire companies with their fund raising."
Mr. Howell then spoke about Mr. Owen helping the Columbia Fire Company with its fish fries.
"Dave waits on us," he said, "and sometimes I feel like if we were out at a prime restaurant, I’d give him a nice tip. And he’s just waiting tables up at the fish fry."
Frank Kramer, former fire chief and Fire Commission chairman, also praised Mr. Owen.
"We go way back," he said. "All the help you gave me when I was chief and when I was chairman of the commission. I want to thank you for that."
Mr. Tillett Sr. closed the evening by saying, "Just to let you know the type of person Dave is, he gave me his phone number at his new job (in Virginia) – in case we have a problem with the Fire Commission. I think that typifies what we had, and what we’re losing."
