Rick Altendorf
As we turn the page and start 2024, one of our longest standing members retires. Rick Altendorf spent the last 42 years serving the Loretto and West Suburban Fire Departments.
Rick has wore every colored helmet. He started as a firefighter then a Captain and ended his career as an Assistant Chief in charge of training. He was also the gambling manager for a period of time and served many years as a board member on our fire board.
Rick was one of the most dedicated members in the organization. He responded to every call and attended every training when he was available. He also worked at almost every event we put on.
Rick was totally dedicated to the department and the communities we served.
We can’t go without thanking his family, wife Jennifer and his three children for the sacrifices they made for our department when Rick left at the drop of a hat to respond and help the people in our community.
Thanks Rick for the incredible run you put in making our department so successful! You truly are one of the best ever to serve. Enjoy your retirement!
Thank you,
Chief Jeff Leuer
Brookstyn Nelson
Starting out 2024, the WSFD wishes Brookstyn Nelson a great retirement. Brookstyn spent the last 15 years serving the Hamel and West Suburban Fire Departments.
She served many positions on the department’s over the years including gambling manager, fire board member, Hamel Rodeo Committee member and many other over the years. One can never over look her dedication to the community she’s served so well. Not only the many hours she served on the department but the many many hours she put in helping make the Hamel Rodeo one of the best in the country.
We must also thank her husband Tom, (who also served with the fire department) for all he did serving with Brookstyn to make our community safe.
As serving now as the fire chief of the new fire district, I must recognize Brookstyn for being so instrumental in help put together the new West Suburban Fire District. Her vision, leadership and determination to get the Hamel and Loretto Fire Departments is a real sign of how much she wanted to make it happen to help serve the communities more effectively and efficiently in the future.
Thank you Brookstyn for all you did! Enjoy your retirement!
Chief Jeff Leuer
Peter Schulte
As we exit 2023 we recognize Peter Schulte for his 19 years of service to the Loretto and West Suburban fire departments. Pete served with his wife Laura and son Peter Jr for a few years as well on the department. Laura was one of the first females to serve on our department. Peter served on the relief association as well on the future fire service committee made up of several committees in the area.
Peter is a cabinet maker by trade and made many cabinets and mailboxes for our members and the department throughout the years.
We cannot go with out thanking Laura, their daughter and son for understanding when Peter left to respond to many emergencies over the years.
Thanks Peter for your dedication and commitment to serving the communities we serve.
Thank you,
Chief Jeff Leuer
Kenny Williams
Last night was the last business meeting for Kenny Williams. Kenny is retiring on February 5th after 36 years of serving on the department. His dedication and service to the communities we serve will be truly missed. He was always willing to share his knowledge of wealth by teaching newer firefighters how to operate the trucks and pumping water from those trucks at fires. No matter the emergency, he was always calm, cool, collected in making high stress decisions.
Kenny had the good fortune to serve with his daughter Jessica for some years in which she has become an exceptional firefighter following in her father’s foot steps.
We must also thank his wife Jodi and family for supporting him through the years.
We wish Kenny the best going forward in his retirement. Thank you for your 36 exceptional years of service to our community!
