A Missouri firefighter died Saturday, March 14 after suffering an apparent heart attack while fighting a grass fire.
Lt. Roger Vorwark, 49, was a five-year veteran of the Odessa Fire and Rescue Protection Division. Emergency crews tended to him at the scene before he was taken by helicopter to an Independence hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to published reports.
The Missouri Fire Service Funeral Assistance Team has contacted the department, and offered their help.
Vorwark began serving his 30-year career with the Mayview Fire Department and later joined Odessa Fire and Rescue in 2004. In May 2008, he began his paid career with Odessa. Just one week prior to his death, he was promoted to the position of lieutenant, according to the MFSFAT.
Funeral Services
Visitation will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday March 19, at the First Baptist Church of Odessa. The family will arrive at 5 p.m. A firefighters walk through is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at Odessa R-7 High School at 10 a.m. Friday. The Odessa Fire and Rescue District will proceed in a walking procession to the engine house where the rest of the procession will join. Services will conclude at the Odessa Cemetery.
Memorials have been established in lieu of flowers to the FFAM Memorial Museum 503 E Nifong Blvd Ste 1 Box 212 Columbia MO 65201 or Odessa Fire and Rescue Association PO Box 345 Odessa MO 64076
Personnel planning to bring apparatus should contact RB Todd 816-263-0011.
Honor guards are requested to assist with visitation and funeral.
