Richmond Carolina Fire District in Richmond is mourning the loss of Firefighter Bob Gardner.
Gardner, former deputy chief with the department, had been at the firehouse assisting with the cleanup following a fire on Punchbowl Trail. After all apparatus was back in service, Gardner returned to his home.
There he passed away from an apparent heart attack on Wednesday.
He was a 15-year veteran on the department. Firefighters remembered him as a selfless firefighter who was always quick to help, but did not seek attention for his service.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration notice, on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Firefighter Robert “Bob” Thomas Gardner, Jr., 55, was at the fire station putting apparatus and equipment back in service following a residential structure fire call. He then returned home. Sometime in the middle of the night, he suffered an apparent heart attack and passed away.
