By Elaine Blaisdell
The Cumberland Times-News
KEYSER, W. Va. — Bob Dorsey has reluctantly retired from the Keyser Volunteer Fire Department after 70 years because, he said, his age caught up with him.
“I hated to retire. But at the age of 91, I had to because I couldn’t get around anymore,” said Dorsey.
“I thought 70 years was long enough.”
Dorsey started with the fire department in 1941 at the age of 21 after being blackballed three times for being a Catholic, he said.
Dorsey told his mother about the situation and she promised to take care of it. Shortly afterward, the fire department accepted Dorsey.
Firefighting was something that Dorsey knew he always wanted to do, even though none of his family members was a firefighter.
“It is something I’ve had in my system all along,” said Dorsey.
Dorsey thought that everyone who volunteered should have firefighting in their system, said Mike Simpson, assistant fire chief.
“I remember when I joined the fire department in 1976. Bob would say, ‘If it (firefighting) is not in your blood, then get your butt out,’ I’ll never forget that,” said Simpson.
Firefighting still remains in Dorsey’s system. He lives a block and a half from the new fire station on Piedmont Street, and whenever he hears the whistle blow he still travels down to the station to see what’s going on.
“He will be missed. Even though he is retired, I’m sure he will still be around. Besides, we know where he lives.”
Dorsey’s most memorable experience as a firefighter was a big fire that occurred at the Potomac Valley Ice Co. in 1941.
Dorsey was very knowledgeable about firefighting and at one point served as captain, chief and drove the fire truck up until about 2004, according to Simpson.
“You name it he did it,” said Simpson. “Bob is an excellent man. It’s tough to get people to volunteer for more than 10 years, let alone even a year. He is a tough breed to find.”
The fire department has changed drastically between 1941 and now, said Dorsey. There is more training now and the volunteers are younger with the older ones leaving, he said.
During his stint with the fire department, Dorsey has seen 13 fire-related deaths and has been given a host of awards.
He recently received a blanket noting his 70 years of dedicated service as well as a fireman’s jacket from the New Creek Fire Department; and a certificate of appreciation and a plaque from the city of Keyser.
Dorsey has received about 15 awards, including a badge for being the oldest active member.
Copyright 2011 Charleston Newspapers
Charleston Daily Mail (West Virginia)