News : Schoettmer Retires from Vinton Fire Department

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." Martin Luther King Jr.Turn on the radio and you'd have heard Madonna's "Who's That Girl" at #1 after toppling U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I Am Looking For" from that top spot.The TV would be filled with the news of a tragic plane crash in Detroit that killed 156 but left a 4-year-old girl the sole survivor and Muhammad Ali was elected to Ring magazine's Boxing Hall of Fame. But something else happened that eventful August of 1987: Kipp Schoettmer decided he would join the Vinton Fire Department and serve his community (beating two classmates from the Class of 1983 to the punch!). And serve his community he did...for 37 years!This past August of 2024 Kipp retired from the Vinton Fire Department and received his 30 Years of Service Axe at our Christmas Party this past Saturday evening in recognition of years of dedication, service, wisdom, the "gentle corrections" given and leading by doing (however Madonna was likely not playing on Kipp's radio on either drive to and from the fire station!). Often one of the first to the station from across the street at John's Tire, Kipp was never one to seek the limelight or official titles (although he did serve as Safety Officer from 2002 to 2012) but we are glad he let us honor and thank him. Always quick with an answer or advice (whether you were ready to hear it or not!), he was long looked to as the "senior man" on the department with an idea because chances are, Kipp had already been there and done it once or twice before. Thanks for all you've done Kipp and enjoy your retirement!