It is we deep sadness that the City of Fitchburg Fire Department convey that Richard A. Heft, Division Chief (Ret.), age 59, died Saturday, August 9, 2014 at his home in rural Beaver Dam after a battle with cancer.
Visitation for Chief Heft will be at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home, N7199 North Crystal Lake Road in Beaver Dam, on Thursday, August 14, 2014 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. There will also be a visitation at St. Katharine Drexel Church, 511 South Spring Street in Beaver Dam, on Friday, August 15, 2014 from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at church on Friday at 11:00 AM with Fr. Michael J. Erwin officiating. Burial will be at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery.
Chief Heft served in the United States Military for 35 years including in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom; through these years, he was involved in fire and rescue in the Navy, the Air Force, and the National Guard achieving the rank of SMSgt. Chief Heft retired as the Fire Chief of Truax Field Airport in Madison, WI in 2006; in retirement, he worked as a the Division Chief of Prevention, Inspection and Investigation in Fitchburg.
Visitation and Funeral Services for Division Chief Richard Heft are as follows:
Thursday, Aug 14, from 4-7pm
Koepsell Funeral home
N.7199 North Crystal Lake Road
Beaver Dam, WI 53916
All uniformed personnel will be paying respects at 6:30. Please be present no later than 6pm.
Friday, Aug 15, 10 – 10:45 a.m. Visitation
11 a.m. Service
St Katherine Drexel
503 South Spring Street
Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Friday, Aug 15, Following Church Service
St Peter’s Cemetery
County Road G
Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Departments planning to bring apparatus should email ffdhonorguard@gmail.com. One apparatus per department please.
Apparatus Staging
All apparatus should enter E South Street from University Ave. Staging will be on E South Street.
Personnel Staging
Report to St Katherine Drexel in the School.
Honor Guard Assistance
Any honor guard member wishing to assist, please email Commander Hageman at fffire156@hotmail.com or call 608-358-0886.