LONGTIME LOCAL FIREFIGHTER RETIRES
Captain Robert Jensen, Linda Jensen Oberhoff,
Stephen Krischke, Chief Chris Casada, Asst chief
Larry Jensen, Louis Pelley, and Rocky
A long-time local firefighter was recognized on the occasion of his retirement after over half a century of service.
The Washington Volunteer Fire Department honored Captain Robert Jensen for 51 ½ years of service. Jensen recently announced his retirement from active duty.
Washington Fire Chief Chris Casada recounted the service of Jensen’s decades in the department including donations, training, support, meals prepared, the untold number of fire responses and his mentorship.
Jensen started at the Washington VFD before he reached the age to officially be a fireman.
He followed his dad, Bennie Jensen, his brothers: Billy and Mark Jensen, sister and brother-in-law: Linda & Bobbie Oberhoff, and they were joined later by his niece Thresia Schlabach, along nephews Jon and Larry Jensen.
When there was anything that Captain Jensen could assist with, he was there.
Jensen was present when the Department built Station #1 on FM 1155 in 1971.
Most recently, when the need for Station #2 came to be, he donated the parcel of land in time for the County to apply for a grant towards the construction of the facility.
Later, when the EMS AirMed program needed a hanger, Jensen donated more land. The hanger has been named the Jensen-Miller EMS hanger in appreciation of his continued generosity.
Current and Former members of Washington VFD gathered at his residence to present him tokens of appreciation.
In addition to that, several memories were shared and all those present wished him a much deserved, restful retirement from active firefighting duties.
Happy retirement Captain Jensen and thank you for your service to Washington County. Really brave people fight fires but that’s just part of the services from VFD they rescue. They don’t sit in the truck till it’s safe. So please support our VFD!
Words cannot do justice to the level of dedication Capt. Jensen has devoted to the department over his more than half a century of service. In addition to all of his other notable achievements listed in the article he has also served as chief for the dept. and on many calls has responded promptly as first on scene. For the rest of those on our roster he has been a great mentor and wealth of information particularly regarding apparatus as he was instrumental in the purchase of virtually every piece of equipment ever acquired over our history since the beginning. While his absence leaves a great void in the dept. he has certainly earned his retirement, and then some. Thank you, Captain, and may God bless you for your innumerable contributions. You helped make Washington Volunteer Fire Dept. the successful organization that is today.
Thank you for your kind words. Captain Jensen gave his heart and sole to the department, every day. His nephew, Todd Jensen, is now a firefighter from his encouragement.