By JOSHUA THOMAS

C-S-E Editor

MINDEN — On Tuesday evening, family, friends and colleagues gathered at the South Minden Fire Department to honor 48 year member and founder Sherman D. Rockwell.

Rockwell’s son, Richard Rockwell, started off by supplying a history of the department — apropos, he said, because “the history of the department is actually him.”

In the early 1960’s, Rockwell and a handful of men saw a need for a South Minden-based fire vehicle that could access local, country properties faster than departments from surrounding towns, the closest of which is miles away.

The men found out that to do that, they would have to start a fire department.

So, that’s exactly what they did.

A charter was established in 1964, and although the now-official department was in possession of a 50-year-old fire vehicle, they still had no firehouse, land, or money. Parcels of land, including one next door to the current station, were donated, and the department kicked into fundraising gear, “raffling off anything they could possibly raffle off,” to earn money to put toward a firehouse, which would eventually replace the first South Minden fire department headquarters — a family garage.

With money from their own pockets, the growing department began building a fleet of vehicles. “Time kept going on, and they kept building more and more, and all this was on under the direction of him,” said Richard of his father.

“When I look at this fire house, I think ‘you did a pretty good job’”, stated Richard, noting of his father’s 48 years of devoted service, “we all appreciate it.”

Since 1964, the department has only had six fire chiefs, including Rockwell for 31 years, his son, Richard, for one year, and his grandson, current chief Duane Rockwell, who has served as chief for nine years.

Also on hand to honor Rockwell Tuesday night was Sheriff Mike Amato, Undersheriff Jeffery Smith, Dwight Schwabrow and Supervisor Thomas Quackenbush.

Schwabrow, who noted that Rockwell has served the county as well as the South Minden Fire Department, in the capacity of past board member, charter member and advisory board member, presented Rockwell with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of Montgomery County and the Office of Fire Coordinator. “You’ve been an institution at the county,” said Schwabrow.

Supervisor Thomas Quackenbush thanked Rockwell for his years of service not only on behalf of the town board, but also on behalf of Assemblyman George Amedore, noting that an official proclamation is forthcoming.

Quackenbush, currently 48-years-old, said, “Just to think that somebody’s been involved in anything for 48 years is a feat in itself.”

Sheriff Mike Amato, who said he’s always considered Rockwell a friend, stated “Sherman is an institution. He’s built South Minden and made it what it is.”

Undersheriff Jeffery Smith noted that he spoke as a fireman, not as an undersheriff, telling a story about his first experience with the department, when almost 25 years ago, to the day, “you welcomed this 18-year-old that knew absolutely nothing.” Rockwell, he said, was patient, and always took the time to teach new recruits, many of which learned under his tutelage and moved on to different departments.

“You should be absolutely honored with what you’ve done for this community, and fire service in general,” he said, explaining that he’s always considered Rockwell his “chief”.

Rockwell’s grandson, Eric Barnes, delivered one of the most moving and humorous speeches of the evening, beginning by asking “what goes 75 for a quarter mile and never spills his two eggs, toast and orange juice?” He then recounted a funny story, stating that while he and his brother, Chad, teenage Explorers at the time, waited for the bus one day, a fire broke out locally. In no time, they heard their grandfather coming, courtesy of his car’s loud engine. Chad and Eric met him in the driveway of the old firehouse, their grandfather still holding two eggs and toast in one hand, his orange juice in the other.

While Barnes initially joked with his grandfather, he was moved as he thanked his grandfather for raising him in the department, with the resolve to do what needed to be done, whenever it needed to be done. “That was life. That’s what we did,” said Barnes.

Rockwell, touched by the honors, noted of all those that have served under him and alongside him, “I’ve never had a bad fireman yet.”