July 07--ROCKY MOUNT -- The final call bells rang Saturday for Lt. John Echternach Jr. of Boones Mill Fire Station 7, as family, friends and fellow first responders celebrated the life of a man who always did his duty, and did it with a playful spirit.
"People should know his story," wife Debbie Echternach said. "He always, and I mean always, answered the call."
Echternach's parents were not surprised that their son, who put out his first imaginary fire at 4 years old, went on to be a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician, as well as a professor and practitioner of physical therapy.
And no one -- from the old Boy Scout friends who came from across the country to say goodbye, to his brother and sister firefighters who processed his ashes out of the church -- was surprised that he died as he lived, helping others.
An avid outdoorsman and woodworker, Echternach loved trees. He loved to walk among them and teach generations of Boy Scouts their names. He loved to fell them, and shape and sand them into furniture and flooring for the house he built for his family in the 1990s. That her husband died after a falling tree stuck him on the head during a rescue operation in freak winds the night of June 29 "is mind boggling," Debbie Echternach said.
But, she said, her faith in God's love for her family, and the support of the hundreds of people who gathered Saturday for the memorial service are helping her through these first days without her soul mate.
From the podium, Debbie Echternach thanked the EMTs who cared for husband, and kept his body functioning, so his organs would go to needy medical patients.
"John's death is a tragedy," the Rev. Paul Stutzman told the assembly.
But his memory, and his work can live on in everyone who follows the example he set.
"John helped anyone in need, regardless of their politics, their faith or their behavior," Stutzman said. "We need more people like John."
The Echternach family is asking anyone who knew John and has a story to share about his life contribute it for a book being put together in his memory. Send memories to [email protected].
Copyright 2012 - The Roanoke Times, Va.
