During the week of March 14, 2022, we had a fire apparatus from Station 21 (Slackwood Fire House) parked at the front of the Municipal Building, adorned with memorial bunting, and our flags were at half-staff in honor of Rudolph "Rudy" Fuessel, a man that dedicated more than 65 years of service to the Lawrence community as a volunteer firefighter out of Slackwood Fire House.
Chief Fuessel passed away at his home on March 14, 2022, at 85. Many claim him to be their mentor or the reason they became a firefighter. I remember him most as a young boy in the 1970s while my Dad served as Mayor for the Township, and he was the Fire Chief at Slackwood. I remember his trademark sideburns that always fascinated me as I looked up to him when my Dad would bring me over to say hello at a pancake breakfast or some other event at Slackwood Fire House, to give respect to a man that deserved our respect.
His impact on so many first responders that served and continue to serve our community is immeasurable. He and my father always had a great relationship and mutual respect. Chief Fuessel sent me some old photos he found with him and my Dad about a year ago. One of them (posted here....seems like the early Seventies) has been on my office wall as a proud reminder of my past and respect for my elders.
I spoke with the Chief on the phone some time ago during some challenging time I was having with the volunteer firefighters as we grappled with how best to preserve these great fire companies (Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, and Slackwood). He called to tell me that I was doing a good job and keep doing what I was doing, and "to hell with those guys," giving me a hard time. I thanked him, hung up the phone, and instantly felt - better about things.
In preparing this article, I knew it wouldn't be complete without contributions from a couple of the men and women he helped to shape into the professional first responders they are today. Their reflections of him are below:
Chrissie Vincent (a career Emergency Medical Technician for Lawrence Township and current Chief of Emergency Medical Services) explained the Chief's impact on her career this way:
"I moved to Lawrence in 1989. I met Rudy at Station 21 while working an EMS shift as a new per diem for the Township. We had stopped there to drop some paperwork off for our boss, and in true "Rudy fashion," he was all smiles and welcomed me to the Township and said if any of these boys (meaning his firefighters) give you any trouble, you come to see me! He was always protective of the ladies. We were friends from that point on."
"In 1994, when I began working with Maryann Russell Nester as my full-time partner, he dubbed us "The Lawrence EMS Angels." Whenever he would see us, he would always say, how are my angels doing today? He and his wife Sue have always been so welcoming and treated you like family. Rudy was just one of those people that never had to say call me if you need anything. You just knew you could. You could be stuck out in the south Pacific Ocean stranded and call him, and he would immediately be on the phone with the United States Coast Guard or Navy getting an aircraft carrier dispatched to your location to pick you up. It didn't matter what it was or how tedious it seemed; you could always count on Rudy for any help you needed. He was a man of his word, and I truly believe in my heart that there was no task that was too big for him to handle."
Jack Oakley (Chief of Fire and Emergency Services and the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Township) said the following about the Chief:
"I was introduced to the Slackwood Fire Company at the age of 16. The Chief was Rudy Fuessel, and he knew my father, a Trenton Firefighter. When I started to hang around the firehouse, even to a young man like myself, it was apparent that Chief Fuessel was indeed the leader. He instilled a sense of respect, honor, and commitment in the membership. That was his make-up. He made sure mistakes never happened twice and guided you with knowledge and wisdom far beyond expectations. Chief Fuessel always expected 100% on the fire grounds, and when he told you he was proud of you for what you had done, you truly believed him. We affectionately called him "Dad" because that's what he was to us, a second father. A few people in my life shaped my firefighting career, Chief Rudy Fuessel being predominant."
Ron
Dziminski (retired City of Trenton Firefighter and longtime member of Slackwood
Fire Company) said, "Rudy (aka 210) was a true hero to me! He was the man
that pushed me into becoming a professional firefighter more than 30 years ago.
As a volunteer firefighter, he taught many young volunteers and me throughout
the state. The most important lesson I learned from him was that a true hero
doesn't wear a cape, they wear a uniform, and they put their lives on the line
24/7. Thank you for your service and the knowledge you shared with many of us.
Rest in peace, 210."
He
was a giant of a man at a time when there aren't many giants left. No one will
match his years of dedicated service to this community and his calling as a
firefighter. We are left with his long legacy of service to the community and
his positive impact on the many lives that crossed paths with him. He was,
simply put, a good man that lived a life of service to others. I can't think of
much better than that to say about anyone.
I ask all of you to pray for his wife, family, friends, and fellow firefighters as they grieve his loss in their lives. Rest in Peace, Rudolph A. “Rudy” Fuessel. God bless you, Sir.
