History
Harper Volunteer Fire Department
History
The Harper Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD) was established on March 5, 1940 and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. HVFD started with one fire truck parked outside a filling station on Main Street (US Hwy 290) and a group of local residents with the idea to protect the lives and property of Western Gillespie County. At that time, the closest fire suppression help came from Fredericksburg. With the road system of that time, travel time could be well over an hour due to poor roads.
The volunteers for the most part farmed or ranched in the area and some worked in the City of Harper. The important point is they were quickly available if an emergency arose.
HVFD has continued to expand and modernize its equipment over the years. Currently, the department has one main fire engine, a rescue/pumper engine, three brush trucks, two tankers, and a command vehicle. HVFD is now the first responder to approximately 9,000 residents over 505 square miles of rural ranch and farm land. In addition to the designated area of coverage, the department has mutual aid agreements with six other departments and Kerr and Kimble Counties which more than doubles the effective area of coverage.
The below chart lists the officers of HVFD since 1940.
|
1940 |
President |
C. H. Barrett |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Bill Kaiser |
|
|
Asst. Fire Chief |
W. O. Grosenbach |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Frank Staudt |
|
1941 |
President |
C. H. Barrett |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Bill Kaiser |
|
|
Asst. Fire Chief |
W. O. Grosenbach |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Frank Staudt |
|
1942 |
President |
C. H. Barrett |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Bill Kaiser |
|
|
Asst. Fire Chief |
W. O. Grosenbach |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Frank Staudt |
|
1943 |
President |
Bill Kaiser |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Alfred Lehne |
|
|
Asst. Fire Chief |
W. O. Grosenbach |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Frank Staudt |
|
1944 |
President |
Floy Bode |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Bill Kaiser |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Frank Staudt |
|
1945 |
President |
Floy Bode |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Bill Kaiser |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Joe Kaiser |
|
1946 |
President |
Floy Bode |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Richard Roeder |
|
|
Vice President |
C. W. Barrett |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Joe Kaiser |
| 1947 |
President |
Roy Roberts |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Bill Kaiser |
|
|
Vice President |
Neal B. Fox |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
C. W. Barrett |
|
1948 |
President |
Neal B. Fox |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Bill Kaiser |
|
|
Vice President |
Roy Roberts |
|
|
Captain |
Floy Bode |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Edwin Klein |
|
1949 |
President |
Floy Bode |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Richard Roeder |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Edwin Klein |
|
1950 |
President |
Floy Bode |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Richard Roeder |
|
|
Asst. Fire Chief |
Bill Kaiser |
|
|
Vice President |
Roy Roberts |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Edwin Klein |
|
|
Captain |
Fred Wedikind |
|
1951 |
President |
Floy Bode |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Richard Roeder |
|
|
Asst. Fire Chief |
Clifford Bode |
|
|
Vice President |
Roy Roberts |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Edwin Klein |
|
|
Captain |
Dayton Rahe |
|
1952 |
President |
Floy Bode |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Roy Roberts |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Edwin Klein |
|
|
Captains |
Richard Roeder & Roy Roberts |
|
1953 |
President |
Gene Harper |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Roy Roberts |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Elmer Lange |
|
1954 |
President |
Elton Spencer |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Floy Bode |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Clifford Bode |
|
1955 |
President |
Elmer Lange |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Floy Bode |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Clifford Bode |
|
1956 |
President |
Floy Bode |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Richard Roeder |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Elbert Feller |
|
1957 |
President |
Floy Bode |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Richard Roeder |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Elbert Feller |
|
1958 |
President |
Richard Roeder |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Elmer Lange |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
George Parker |
|
1959 |
President |
Elbert Feller |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Floy Bode |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Charles Bierschwale |
|
1960 |
President |
Elbert Feller |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Robert Lehne |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Charles Bierschwale |
|
1961 |
President |
Robert Lehne |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Elbert Feller |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Charles Bierschwale |
|
1962 |
President |
Alfred Spaeth |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Elmer Lange |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Emil Wahrmund |
|
|
The First Miss Flame |
Doylene Parker |
|
1963 |
President |
Hubert Rahe |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Elbert Feller |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Emil Wahrmund |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Peggy Feller |
|
1964 |
President |
Emil Wahrmund |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Richard Roeder |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Alfred Spaeth |
|
|
Sergeant-at-Arms |
Charles Bierschwale |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Jaydean Peril |
|
1965 |
President |
Elmer Lange |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Richard Roeder |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Doug Tatsch |
|
1966 |
President |
Delton Wilson |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Elbert Feller |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Martin R. Fiedler |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Barbara Peril |
|
1967 |
President |
Jim Mahon |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Elbert Fiedler |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
R. E. Peril |
|
|
Captain |
ChesterTatsch |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Nancy Feller |
|
1968 |
President |
Douglas Tatsch |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Richard Roeder |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
LawrenceMetzger, Jr. |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Elbert Feller |
|
1969 |
President |
Alfred Spaeth |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Richard Roeder |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Alfred Spaeth |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Jennifer Jones |
|
1970 |
President |
C. H. Bierschwale |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Elbert Feller |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Ronnie Lumpkins |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Alfred Spaeth |
|
1971 |
President |
Clark Bierschwale |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Elbert Feller |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Howard Sivells |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Alfred Edwards |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Linda Kensing |
|
1972 |
President |
Levi Kensing |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Darrell Holmes |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Felix Klein |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Gene Tatsch |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Brenda Lange |
|
1973 |
President |
Jim McMahon |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Elbert Feller |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Alfred Spaeth |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Darrell Holmes |
|
1974 |
President |
Darrell Holmes |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Gene Tatsch |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Milton Wendel |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Elbert Feller |
|
1975 |
President |
Darrell Holmes |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Gene Tatsch |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Milton Wendel |
|
|
Fire Marshals |
Larry Jung & Ronnie Lumpkins |
|
1976 |
President |
Jim Bob Stevens |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Elbert Feller |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Paul Lang |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Ronnie Lumpkins |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Sheila Maner |
|
1977 |
President |
Jim Bob Stevens |
|
|
Vice President |
Felix Klein |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Elbert Feller |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Paul Lang |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Ronnie Lumpkins |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Joyce Lang |
|
1978 |
President |
Ronnie Lumpkins |
|
|
Vice President |
Felix Klein |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Paul Lang |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
DarrellHomes |
|
1979 |
President |
Paul Lang |
|
|
Vice President |
Ronnie Lumpkins |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Gene Tatsch |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Milton Wendel |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
David Hallenbeck |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Adie Klein |
|
1980 |
President |
Paul Lang |
|
|
Vice President |
Felix Klein |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Jim McMahon |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Milton Wendel |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
David Hallenbeck |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Raynette Hartman |
|
1981 |
President |
Boyce Grona |
|
|
Vice President |
Elmer Lange |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Gene Tatsch |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
J. W. Mielke |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
David Hallenbeck |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Becky Lang |
|
1982 |
President |
Darrell Holmes |
|
|
Vice President |
Elmer Lange |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Elbert Feller |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
John Mielke |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
David Hallenbeck |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Kim Matranga |
|
1983 |
President |
Darrell Holmes |
|
|
Vice President |
Boyce Grona |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Elbert Feller |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Milton Wendel |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Bruce Giannini |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Romona Fritz |
|
1984 |
President |
Kelton Kramer |
|
|
Vice President |
Paul Lang |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Tom Scollard |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Milton Wendel |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Mark Frances |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Degari Dykstra |
|
1985 |
President |
Kelton Kramer |
|
|
Vice President |
Charles Dykstra |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Howard Sivells |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Milton Wendel |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Ernie Dykstra |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Monica Shaughnessy |
|
1986 |
President |
Jim McMahon |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Gene Tatsch |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Paul Lang |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Ernie Dykstra |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Sonja Stevens |
|
1987 |
President |
Elbert Feller |
|
|
Vice President |
DarrellHomes |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Gene Tatsch |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Lou Garza |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
David Hallenbeck |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Jackie Hallenbeck |
|
1988 |
President |
Paul Lang |
|
|
Vice President |
Daniel Rech |
|
|
Fire Chief |
David Hallenbeck |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Milton Wendel |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Ernie Dykstra |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Eileen Hallenbeck |
|
1989 |
President |
Paul Lang |
|
|
Vice President |
Richard Brondo |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Ernie Dykstra |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Milton Wendel |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Daniel Rech |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Tanya Rodriquez |
|
1990 |
President |
Richard Brondo |
|
|
Vice President |
Daniel Rech |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Richard Rangel |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Irene Masters |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
David Hallenbeck |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Jayln Ernst |
|
1991 |
President |
Daniel Rech |
|
|
Vice President |
Ernie Dykstra |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Richard Rangel |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Irene Masters |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Tim Mulebrad |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Roxanne Lumpkins |
|
1992 |
President |
Tim Mulebrad |
|
|
Vice President |
Troy Armke |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Kelton Kramer |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Wendy Garza |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
James Lenz |
|
1993 |
President |
Paul Lang |
|
|
Vice President |
Troy Armke |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Kelton Kramer |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Wendy Garza |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Ernie Dykstra |
|
1994 |
President |
Elmer Lang |
|
|
Vice President |
Lou Garza |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Richard Decker |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Milton Wendel |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
James Lenz |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Sheri Evanoff |
|
1995 |
President |
Jeffery Ryan |
|
|
Vice President |
Grant Meyer |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Richard Decker |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Milton Wendel |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Mark Tatsch |
|
1996 |
President |
Paul Lang |
|
|
Vice President |
Kathy Armke |
|
|
Fire Chief |
James Lenz |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Irene Masters |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Darrell Homes |
|
1997 |
President |
Ernie Dykstra |
|
|
Vice President |
Kathy Armke |
|
|
Fire Chief |
James Lenz |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Irene Masters |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Darrell Holmes |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Leah Smith |
|
1998 |
President |
Ernie Dykstra |
|
|
Vice President |
David Jung |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Michael Manning |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
Wendy Garza |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Kathy Jung |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Quent Bratcher |
|
1999 |
President |
Paul Lang |
|
|
Vice President |
David Jung |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Robert Bowers |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
Wendy Garza |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Kathy Jung |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Quent Bratcher |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Ashley Townsend |
|
2000 |
President |
Milton Wendel |
|
|
Vice President |
Kelton Kramer |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Robert Bowers |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
David Jung |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Irene Masters |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
James Lenz |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Sarah Jung |
|
2001 |
President |
Philisha Barker |
|
|
Vice President |
Kathy Armke |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Robert Bowers |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
David Jung |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Irene Masters |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Josh Bratcher |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Tanya Starks |
|
2002 |
President |
Philisha Barker |
|
|
Vice President |
Kathy Armke |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Robert Bowers |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
David Jung |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Kittie Conner |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Josh Bratcher |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Brooke O’Toole |
|
2003 |
President |
Michael McMahon |
|
|
Vice President |
Kathy Armke |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Robert Bowers |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
Philisha Barker |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Irene Masters |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Josh Bratcher |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Shelley Barker |
|
2004 |
President |
Michael McMahon |
|
|
Vice President |
James Lenz |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Robert Bowers |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
David Jung |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Irene Masters |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Josh Bratcher |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Tia Taylor |
|
2005 |
President |
Michael McMahon |
|
|
Vice President |
Terry Theis |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Robert Bowers |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
David Jung |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Irene Masters |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Josh Bratcher |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Kayla Nunnemaker |
|
2006 |
President |
Michael McMahon |
|
|
Vice President |
Terry Theis |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Robert Bowers |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
David Jung |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Irene Masters |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Josh Bratcher |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Shelby Campbell |
|
2007 |
President |
Homer Pugh |
|
|
Vice President |
Michael McMahon |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Joe Foster |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
Kim C. Long |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Irene Masters |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Kim A. Long |
|
|
Miss Flame |
Jamie Nigh |
|
2008 |
President |
Michael McMahon |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Brent Hammons |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
Kim C. Long |
|
|
Secretary / Treasurer |
Gary Potter |
|
2009 |
President |
Michael McMahon |
|
|
Fire Chief |
John Tittle |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
Kim C. Long |
|
|
Secretary |
Okie Jackson |
|
|
Treasurer |
Gary Potter |
|
2010 |
President |
Richard Cowie |
|
|
Vice President |
Philisha Barker |
|
|
Fire Chief |
John Tittle |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
Homer Pugh |
|
|
Secretary |
Kittie Conner |
|
|
Treasurer |
David Kemp |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Ron Long |
|
2011 |
President |
Richard Cowie |
|
|
Vice President |
Philisha Barker |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Gary Potter |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
Homer Pugh |
|
|
Secretary |
Kittie Conner |
|
|
Treasurer |
David Kemp |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Ron Long |
|
2012 |
President |
Grant Meyer |
|
|
Vice President |
Philisha Barker |
|
|
Fire Chief |
Gary Potter |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
Homer Pugh |
|
|
Secretary |
Kim C. Long |
|
|
Treasurer |
David Kemp |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
John Tittle |
|
2013 |
President |
Grant Meyer |
|
|
Vice President |
Philisha Barker |
|
|
Fire Chief |
John Tittle |
|
|
EMS Coordinator |
Homer Pugh |
|
|
Secretary |
Kim C. Long |
|
|
Treasurer |
David Kemp |
|
|
Fire Marshal |
Joe Foster |
| 2014 | President | Charles Sander |
| Vice President | Philisha Barker | |
| Fire Chief | Brent Hammons | |
| EMS Coordinator | Catherine Kuhlmann | |
| Secretary | Kim C. Long | |
| Treasurer | Danny Criswell | |
| Fire Marshal | Grant Meyer |
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