Veteran MO. fire captain dies after collapsing at fire station www.privateofficer.com
Kinloch MO May 13 2012 A veteran fire captain with the Kinloch Fire Protection District who collapsed at the fire station last month has died.
Capt. Richard Parks, 47, suffered a medical emergency and was put on life support on April 16 shortly returning from a fire in where a 16-year-old victim was successfully rescued, according to a department news release.
“He’s essentially the life of this firehouse,” Capt. Mike Bowman told KSDK-TV when the incident occurred. “Without him being here it’s somber and dull. That’s the best way to put it. It’s not the same atmosphere.
“He’s been a mentor to a lot of us. I’ve been here 11 years and since the day I started he’s been a mentor to me. He’s been like a father-figure in the firehouse to most of us.”
Parks began his career with Kinloch in 1980 as a junior firefighter at the age of 16 and became a firefighter two years later.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Kriegshauser Mortuary in Olivette Mo. and will be announced when completed.
