Lou Witzeman (79)
November 23, 1924 - September 2, 2004
November 23, 1924 - September 2, 2004
Louis A. Witzeman, Jr., husband, father, grandfather, friend and Rural/Metro Scottsdale founder and chairman emeritus, passed away Thursday, September 2, 2004, in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was 79.
Born on November 23, 1924 in Akron, Ohio, Mr. Witzeman was the son of Louis A. Witzeman and Bertha Evangeline Rowe Witzeman. He attended high school at University School-Shaker Heights in Ohio. He graduated from the University of Arizona in Tucson in 1947 with a Bachelors Degree in Journalism. Soon after, he moved to Phoenix to work as a reporter for the Arizona Times newspaper.
Mr. Witzeman's career turned from journalism to public safety in 1948, after he witnessed a neighbors home burn to the ground. His idea to launch a fire department funded by subscriptions took wings on February 2, 1948, when he opened the doors of Rural/Metro Fire Department with one fire engine and four firefighters. His practical and innovative approach to the business earned him success and recognition for decades to come.
Since its founding, Rural/Metro has grown to become a leading national provider of medical transportation and fire protection services. Today, the Companies 9,000 employees serve more than 400 communities in 23 states. Mr. Witzeman, who retired from Rural/Metro in 1981, served on the Companies Board of Directors until his passing.
In 2000, Mr. Witzeman was named among the centuries Top 20 most influential leaders in the U.S. fire industry by Fire Chief magazine. In 2001, he was inducted into the Arizona Fire Marshals Hall of Fame. (back to portal)
Born on November 23, 1924 in Akron, Ohio, Mr. Witzeman was the son of Louis A. Witzeman and Bertha Evangeline Rowe Witzeman. He attended high school at University School-Shaker Heights in Ohio. He graduated from the University of Arizona in Tucson in 1947 with a Bachelors Degree in Journalism. Soon after, he moved to Phoenix to work as a reporter for the Arizona Times newspaper.
Mr. Witzeman's career turned from journalism to public safety in 1948, after he witnessed a neighbors home burn to the ground. His idea to launch a fire department funded by subscriptions took wings on February 2, 1948, when he opened the doors of Rural/Metro Fire Department with one fire engine and four firefighters. His practical and innovative approach to the business earned him success and recognition for decades to come.
Since its founding, Rural/Metro has grown to become a leading national provider of medical transportation and fire protection services. Today, the Companies 9,000 employees serve more than 400 communities in 23 states. Mr. Witzeman, who retired from Rural/Metro in 1981, served on the Companies Board of Directors until his passing.
In 2000, Mr. Witzeman was named among the centuries Top 20 most influential leaders in the U.S. fire industry by Fire Chief magazine. In 2001, he was inducted into the Arizona Fire Marshals Hall of Fame. (back to portal)