Dozens of firefighters gathered in Reading Monday night to honor lifelong firefighter Ron Wentzel, otherwise known as Moose.
Wentzel spent years serving the community has a deputy fire chief, police chief and EMT, before passing away last January from brain cancer.
Because of his service, the Keystone Chapter of Fire Service Instructors presented Wentzel's family with the Keystone Education Award in his honor.
"Oh it is really exciting because I know Ronnie would be so proud. He devoted his life to helping others and he loved teaching. His life was those fireman and protecting the people of the communities," said Dianne Wentzel, Ron Wentzel's widow.
The KEY Award is the highest award the organization can give to a fellow instructor. Organizers say Wentzel was chosen not only for his years of service, but also because he had a knack for teaching.
"Ron worked real well with the students. He meshed real well with them and always got the best out of his students," said Steve Dragon, the eastern regional director of the Keystone Chapter of Fire Service Instructors.
While Wentzel was undergoing treatment, his fellow firefighters stepped up numerous times to honor him and encourage him.
Dozens of fire trucks paraded down his street in December 2013 and community members also lit up his street to ring in 2014.
Firefighters say showing support for Wentzel was easy because of the person he was.
"Ronnie's personality just came out. You could not help but like him and even love him. He was just that kind of person and it was great to have him in the fire service," said Dragon.
Ronnie's wife Dianne joked that Ronnie really had no hobbies, that firefighting was his hobby. She says she wants his fellow firefighters to know how much she appreciates their support.
"Ronnie always talked about this brotherhood thing, you know, and I thought I understood. But once this all happened with the cancer and the years since, it has been amazing," said Wentzel.
Wentzel's wife and son now have the plaque to commemorate his legacy.
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