By FireRescue1 Staff
CINCINNATI — A father and son both retired from the same fire department with a combined total of 112 fire service years under their belt.
Associated Press reported that Richard “Rosie” Rose, 83, and Matt Rose, 58, recalled their careers, which started as a family tradition when Richard’s father, Louis Rose, served the Madeira Fire Department for over 20 years.
“The grown-ups had their kids around the fire department,” Richard recalled. “We would load hose and wash equipment, all that good stuff.”
Richard joined the Loveland Fire Department in 1959 after spending four years in the U.S. Air Force. Fifteen years later, his son, Matt, followed suit and joined Goshen Fire Department, where Richard had also moved to.
“It’s just like old school; your family stays together. It’s part of your life,” Matt said. “You get used to Christmas and holidays in the firehouse. We’re a big family when it comes down to it. It takes a special person.”
Matt, a 42-year fire veteran, and Richard moved to Loveland-Symmes Fire Department together before both finishing their careers at the Stonelick Township Fire Department.
Matt has been the township’s first full-time chief since 2009, and Richard is the assistant fire chief.
The two men are retiring as Matt battles cancer, which he has beaten once, and plans to do the same again.
“It’s gotten to the point before I hurt somebody or put myself in a predicament, it’s time to pass the torch on,” Matt said.
To commemorate their service, the two men were presented with a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol by a rep from Congressman Rob Portman at their retirement party.
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