Obituaries
R. A. Bogan, Sr.
Chief Robert A. Bogan, Sr., 68, Baton Rouge, La., Fire Department died June 29 at his home. He headed the department for the past 40 years. Chief Bogan joined the department as a volunteer in 1908 and became chief in 1918 when the first paid men were employed.
Widely known in the nation’s fire circles, he was president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs in 1936-37 and in addition, served that organization for nine years as a director from the Southwestern Division. He also served the latter organization as its president. He was president of the Louisiana Firemen’s Association for nine consecutive terms.
Chief Bogan was a member of former President Harry S. Truman’s Fire Prevention Committee and during World War II was Louisiana State coordinator for fire fighting services. At the time of his death he was Baton Rouge assistant director for civil defense.
Assistant Chief F. F. O’Callaghan has been appointed acting chief in the interim.
Chief E. E. Wischer
Chief Edward E. Wischer, 61, Milwaukee, Wis., Fire Department, died July 26 of a heart attack. He was appointed to the department in 1921, promoted to lieutenant in 1929 and captain in 1933. He became a district chief in 1937 and in 1941 was placed in charge of the training bureau. In this capacity, he wrote several training manuals. He was named chief of department in 1945.
Widely known in the nation’s fire circles, Chief Wischer was appointed a member of former President Harry S. Truman’s National Fire Prevention Conference in 1947 and was appointed a National Defense Fire Consultant by the late Secretary of Defense James E. Forrestal. He was a past director of the Great Lakes Division, International Association of Fire Chiefs. He is survived by his widow and two daughters.
J. A. Downey
James A. Downey, 91, former chief of the Wallingford, Conn., Fire Department died June 29 at his home. He had served in the department for 54 years before retiring from active duty. One of his surviving sons is Morton Downey, the famous singer.
George V. Henrich
Ex-Chief George V. Henrich, Athol, Mass., Fire Department, died of an apparent heart attack early on the morning of June 22, while he was attending the annual meeting of the New England Fire Chiefs Association at Wentworth-by-the-Sea, Portsmouth, N. H. He was an active member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the New England Division and the New England Association of Fire Chiefs.
L. M. Roche
Lee Roche, 54, for 30 years a Chicago representative of FIRE ENGINEERING died unexpectedly on July 19 at his home in Park Ridge, Ill. For the past 10 years he had been Midwest advertising manager. In 1957 he suffered a heart attack but had made a satisfactory recovery. He is survived by his wife, a son, now in military service, and a daughter.
E. J. Svenson
Chief Eric J. Svenson, 47, West Windsor, N. Y., Fire Department, died of a heart attack on June 9. Chief Svenson headed the volunteer department since its formation in 1946. He was formerly assistant chief of the Valley Stream, L. I., N. Y., Fire Department.
J. O. Keegan
Chief Joseph O. Keegan, 64, Ayer, Mass., Fire Department, died June 22 at the Ayer Community Hospital after a long illness. A veteran of over 40 years with the department, he was named chief in 1956. He was a member of the New England Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
L. B. Seiler
Chief Louis P. Seiler, 69, head of the Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Fire Department since 1938, and a fireman for 46 years, died June 11 in St. Thomas Hospital, Akron.
Ex-Chief C. N. Niday
Former Chief C. Neal Niday, 56, San Bernardino, Calif., died July 7 of a heart attack. He was appointed to head the fire department in 1939 and resigned because of ill health in 1948.
