APPLE VALLEY, Calif. — A Cal Fire firefighter with a storied career that would make an action movie look tame, lost his long battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
The Press Enterprise reported that Barry Rezac, 57, nicknamed “Nine Lives Rezac,” died Sept. 27 of end-stage renal disease and cardiopulmonary arrest.
In 2008, Rezac underwent a double-lung transplant after developing pulmonary fibrosis. Doctors said he developed the illness while on the job. He retired in 2009.
Even as his health began to fail, his wife, Sandra, said her husband never lost his passion for the fire service.
“We would see fire trucks going down the street and his eyes would light up,” Sandra said. “It was his life.”
During his nearly 30-year career as a firefighter, Rezac earned numerous awards for his heroic acts.
In December 1997, Rezac acted as a human shield, stepping between two Rottweilers charging a family with children, beating the dogs back with his fists. The incident brought him commendations from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, the Rubidoux Community Services District and the Jurupa Rotary Club. He was also named Firefighter of the Year by the Jurupa Valley Chamber of Commerce.
During his career, he also fell 100 feet down a hillside while fighting a brush fire, had porches collapse on him and suffered serious burns when an oxygen tank exploded while he was preparing to enter a burning home to save an occupant. And he delivered 11 babies.
“He always wanted to be in the action. He didn’t want to be a supervisor,” said Phil Kallenberger, who was Rezac’s supervisor for years.
Rezac is survived by his wife, mother, sister and brother; he also leaves behind his son, daughter, stepdaughter and 11 grandchildren.
A memorial service will take place Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. at Sunset Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary, 24000 Waalew Road, Apple Valley, Calif.