In the early days of Marinwood, the neighborhood fire department had seven chiefs in its first two decades. Some resigned after brief terms, others were forced out by the board.
When Jay Neuhaus got the job, he kept it for 22 years.
Mr. Neuhaus, the longest tenured chief in the history of the department, died of natural causes on Sept. 16 at his home in Marinwood. He was 68.
“He was just a really nice guy to be around,” said Irving Schwartz, who was a volunteer firefighter under Mr. Neuhaus. “We’ve had some really interesting fire chiefs over the years. He was a nice one.”
Mr. Neuhaus was born in Iowa and moved to Marin during his childhood. He attended Redwood High School and then the College of Marin, where he studied fire science and business administration.
Mr. Neuhaus started his firefighting career in Kentfield and joined the Marinwood department in 1970, when the Marinwood Community Services District was a decade old.
Mr. Neuhaus was promoted to chief in December 1980 at the age of 29, and remained in the post until his retirement in 2002.
“He impacted so many people’s lives,” said Tom Roach, who was hired by Mr. Neuhaus and ultimately succeeded him. “I was able to have a career in the fire service, and I was able to provide for my family, and I give all the credit for that to Chief Neuhaus.”
The position of Marinwood fire chief appears to be obsolete. Last year, when Roach retired, the Marinwood Community Services District turned over administrative functions to the San Rafael Fire Department.
Roach said the Marinwood department organized a firefighters’ reunion about a year ago and also billed it as a “Day for Jay” tribute to the former chief. Neuhaus said he would not attend if he were the guest of honor because he disliked being the center of attention, Roach said.
“He loved his guys. He was all about helping the community. He was extremely uncomfortable with being in the limelight, taking the credit for things,” Roach said. “He said, I’m not going to come if you’re going to make this about me.”
Schwartz recalled an incident when a car crashed through the fence of a home and went into the swimming pool. Mr. Neuhaus, who had been playing baseball at McInnis Park, rushed to the scene in his game uniform.
“Instead of his firefighting gear, he came in his baseball gear,” Schwartz said. “He did what he needed to do, but the owners of the house could not figure out what was going on.”
Mr. Neuhaus’ survivors include his wife of nearly 40 years, Kathleen Berger Neuhaus; his children Jessica Neuhaus, Robert Neuhaus and Aaron Neuhaus; and six siblings.
A memorial gathering is planned for 3 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Marinwood Community Center.
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©2019 The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.)
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