SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. — A South Haven firefighter is ready for a well-deserved break after serving the community for 45 years.
Ron Ridley, 67, currently serves as the South Haven Area Emergency Services (SHAES) Authority captain. He first got involved with community service in high school, when he would volunteer with Casco Township when help was needed.
He officially joined the Casco fire department in 1979, where he would become chief. He later became part of the SHAES Authority when it began in 1995.
Ridley's coworkers say he has never hesitated to step in where needed, including during recent snowstorms in West Michigan.
“Over the span of 28 years as a dedicated member of SHAES, Ron has not slowed down, has not turned down a call, has not sloughed responsibility; he simply has not stopped or slowed down one bit,” said SHAES Chief Brandon Hinz.
“Ron has been an inspiration to all of us in many, many ways,” said Hinz. “He is extremely humble, hardworking with a servant attitude, attributes we should all strive to emulate. We don’t want to see him go, he’s more than earned the right to spend some time with family and friends.”
Ridley will retire later this month. While he has plans to travel and spend time with his two children and five grandchildren, he also plans to stay involved with the fire department.
SHAES has three stations and covers the City of South Haven and Casco, Geneva and South Haven townships.
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