I (as well as many others) attended the funeral of a fellow Chief today.. I knew Warren "Skip" Highwood of the Chesterton Fire Department of Porter County Indiana for a long time (most of my life in fact). As I sat in the Church listening to the tributes and accolades from family and friends, and fellow fire-fighters I began to think back about the things I remember and the things I have learned from this man.

He had been a fireman all his adult life and a Chief of his department for many years. I didn't always agree with him but I always respected his opinions and guidance any time it was offered. He had been with his department and had come up through the ranks from a Volunteer to the departments First paid fireman and eventually attained the position he retired with, Chief of the department.

He would show up on many of our calls and was a welcome sight. He wouldn't inject himself unless asked and always was there to help in any capacity he could..

I remember when I was just a "newbee" and made a comment on an accident scene about the guy from another department in being there. As I said I was new and didn't know him yet but soon found out from the older members of my department who that was and that he had overheard what I said. I learned one of the first lessons of the fire service that day.. If you haven't got something positive to say it's best to shut the hell up until you know what your talking about..

He never said anything to me directly and I never had the chance to apologize to him for my inexperience and big mouth. I regret that to this day.

One of the other things I learned about the fire service from him was that reality today isn't necessarily so tomorrow or ten minutes from now. Every time we go on a call there is no guarantee that we will return. He always spent lots of time and effort looking after the men (women) in his charge.

Over time I came to realize that he wasn't doing what he did for the recognition, fame, and certainly not to become rich. He just wanted to help people any way he could quietly, and without fanfare. I learned a lot from him and his quiet measured leadership. He fought his illness to the very last with the same quiet determination that guided him everywhere else in life.

I will miss Skip but know that he is in a better place and will finally have a chance to rest.