By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Del Rio Fire Department leaders, city council members and city staff recently honored DRFD Lt. Duane K. Bolle on the occasion of his retirement following 41 years of service to the community.
Bolle’s service to the city was recognized during Tuesday’s regular meeting of the Del Rio City Council.
After City Secretary Mari Acosta read the heading of the agenda item, council and audience members applauded.
City Human Resources Director Mario Garcia told the council, “Good evening. It is with great pleasure that I come before this council tonight to recognize Del Rio Fire Department Lt. Duane K. Bolle and his 41 years, five months and 17 days of public service.
“Before coming on board to the city of Del Rio, Lt. Bolle was a graduate of Del Rio High School. I’m assuming 1978, because he didn’t list it on his employment application. During his time as a high school student, he worked as a paperboy for the Del Rio News-Herald from 1974 to 1976.
“His work history then moves on to being a short-order cook at Sonic from 1976 to 1978. On graduating from high school – again, I’m assuming 1978 – he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and moved on to become a machinist/repairman and remained in the Navy from 1978 through 1982,” Garcia said.
“Shortly after his discharge from the Navy, Lt. Bolle applied for the Del Rio Fire Department in the summer of 1982. Again, I’m assuming 1982, because he didn’t list the date on his application when he turned it in. On his employment application, he did list that one of the skills learned in the Navy is that he was trained to fight shipboard fires. He also listed ‘Uncle Sam’ as to who to contact as his employer.
“Lt. Bolle began working for the city on Dec. 11, 1982, for the Del Rio Fire Department, and the notification letter from the city manager at the time states that he was selection number one from the pool of applicants and was advised to report to then-Chief (Howard) Baughman. In 1992, firefighter Bolle was promoted to lieutenant and shortly after received and obtained his advanced structural firefighter certificate and basic instructor certification.
“DRFD Chief David Harrison states Lt. Bolle during his tenure with the department has ‘always maintained a positive, hardworking attitude that gained the respect and admiration of his fellow firefighters.’ Lt. Bolle is married to Mary Alice, who is here with him this evening. They have three children and I assume a brood of grandchildren, but I don’t know, with whom he hopes to spend much more time; again, I assume.
“In his letter of resignation to the city, Lt. Bolle states, ‘It was an honor serving the community in the fire department. It was fun while it lasted, but someone else will have to be the longest-lasting active firefighter.’
“The city of Del Rio wishes to extend a very grateful thank you to Lt. Duane Keith Bolle for his many years of dedicated community service to the citizens of this city. We wish him the very best of luck in his future,” Garcia finished.
The council and audience gave Bolle a standing ovation, and Mayor Al Arreola, Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez and DRFD Chief David Harrison presented him with a plaque of appreciation and a commemorative glass clock.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
