Born Nov. 23, 1924 in Akron, Ohio, Mr. Witzeman was the son of Louis A. Witzeman and Bertha Evangeline Rowe Witzeman. He attended high school at University School-Shaker Heights in Ohio. He graduated from the University of Arizona in Tucson in 1947, with a bachelors degree in journalism. Soon after, he moved to Phoenix to work as a reporter for the Arizona Times newspaper.
Mr. Witzeman's career turned from journalism to public safety in 1948, after he witnessed a neighbor's home burn to the ground. His idea to launch a fire department funded by subscriptions took wings on Feb. 2, 1948, when he opened the doors of Rural/Metro Fire Department with one fire engine and four firefighters. His practical and innovative approach to the business earned him success and recognition for decades to come.
Since its founding, Rural/Metro has grown to become a leading national provider of medical transportation and fire protection services. Today, the company's 9,000 employees serve more than 400 communities in 23 states. Mr. Witzeman, who retired from Rural/Metro in 1981, served on the company's board of directors until his passing.
In 2000, Mr. Witzeman was named among the century's top 20 most influential leaders in the U.S. fire industry by Fire Chief magazine. In 2001, he was inducted into the Arizona Fire Marshal's Hall of Fame.
In his final letter to the citizens of Scottsdale, Ariz., contained in the 2004 Rural/Metro Fire Department Annual Activities Report, Mr. Witzeman reflected on the transition to a municipal fire department:
``Changing times have now brought us to the point where we will not have the contractual relationship we have had over these years much longer. This is a sad moment for us as it is for many of the citizens and leaders of Scottsdale's government. We must share the bittersweet memories of five decades together as we each advance along our separate roads.
We want to say to you to whom this report is addressed and to the citizens of Scottsdale that it has been a wonderful experience for us. Together, we have successfully built an innovative, cost-effective fire service dedicated to saving lives and property and known through much of the world.
We have truly shared a grand experience.''
In more than a half century of service to the U.S. fire industry, Mr. Witzeman devoted himself to a wide variety of fire-related organizations, committees, and associations. They include his role as a founding member and trustee of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Research Foundation, a member of the NFPA Advisory Council, member and former chairman of the NFPA Forest and Rural Technical Committee, and member and past president of the Private Emergency Services Association.
In his retirement, Mr. Witzeman pursued his interests in traveling, writing, and photography.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Jacobson Witzeman of Scottsdale, Ariz.; sons, Louis A. ``Alex'' Witzeman III of Tucson, Ariz., Stewart Witzeman of Kingsport, Tenn., and Brian Witzeman of Tempe, Ariz.; daughters, Susan Blommer of Tucson, Ariz., Jodie Witzeman of Mesa, Ariz., and Diana Gaither of Littleton, Colo.; sisters, Mary Reinthal of Richfield, Ohio, Lucile Rice of Rochester, N.Y., and Alice Edwards of Toledo, Ohio; brother, Robert Witzeman of Phoenix, Ariz.; 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004, at Valley Presbyterian Church, 6947 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley, Ariz. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at Messinger Mortuary and Chapel, 7601 E. Indian School Rd. in Scottsdale. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Fire Protection Research Foundation, a non-profit research affiliate of the National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Mass. 02169.
