| Article Courtesy Of Eldersburg Eagle, Heidi Schroeder, Reporter
FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS LEAD TO FIRE
Sixteen is a landmark age for the men of the Ruch family.
It's the age when Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department Chief Ed Ruch Sr. joined the fire department, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and his father.
It's also the age that Ruch's sons Eddie, Bryan and Robert joined the department as the fourth generation of Ruches volunteering at the department.
For this firefighting family, following in dad's footsteps comes naturally ... and willingly.
"When the boys came along I didn't encourage them, they picked it up," Ruch Sr. said of his sons, "I let them be their own person.
"The only thing I told them (was) whatever you decide to do, make sure you do it 100 percent."
Eddie recalled that while he and his brothers weren't pressured to join the department, it was a natural fit for them.
"We've been hanging around (the firehouse) since we were born," Eddie said. "It was in our blood."
And as the Ruch family celebrates Father's Day this weekend, they might also celebrate the qualities of leadership that also seem to be part of the heritage for the Ruch fathers and sons.
Ed Ruch Sr.'s grandfather served as chief of the Sykesville station, and his father was deputy chief.
Eddie - who now serves as the Station 12 deputy chief - said he and his brothers became involved with the junior firefighters when they were each 12 years old.
Later, in high school, they studied emergency services as a vocational program in school.
But the Ruch family's dedication to emergency services doesn't end at the volunteer fire department.
Ed Ruch Sr. - who just marked 35 years with the Sykesville department - has also served as an engineer, driving the equipment, for the Westminster Fire Department for nine years.
Eddie has been a state fire marshal for four years. He said he sought that position after seeing fire marshal's work on the scenes of fires while he was a firefighter.
Robert Ruch is currently in the process of applying for a career firefighter position in another county.
And Bryan Ruch works as an electrician's helper.
All four live in the Sykesville area and continue to volunteer for the local department.
Although he and his sons only spend four or five hours a week together in the fire house because of their various schedules, Chief Ruch Sr. said he enjoys sharing his life with his sons.
"It's nice to have them with me." |
