One of CSFD’s own added to Wall of Honor ahead of annual ceremony

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The 38th Annual Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial service is happening this Saturday, Sept. 21 at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, and a local hero’s name that was recently etched into the wall, will be read aloud and honored, along with the names of more than 300 others who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) wrote in a press release on Tuesday, Sept 17, “This will be a solemn milestone as this will mark the first time in over a decade a CSFD firefighter’s name has been etched into the [International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Wall of Honor].”

In a recent video shared by the fire department, which can be viewed above, the name of fallen CSFD Driver/Engineer Bobby Keese was seen being added to the wall.

“Bobby Keese passed away on Oct. 20, 2023, in relation to risks and exposures associated with firefighting duties,” wrote CSFD. Keese joined CSFD in May 1993 and served 30 years with the department. He followed in his father’s footsteps, who joined the department in 1969 and also served as a Driver/Engineer.

“Being the host city for the IAFF Fire Fighters Memorial, we have seen hundreds of names added to the wall from across the U.S. and Canada,” said Fire Chief Randy Royal. “Sadly, this year we will be even more intimately participating in the service by adding one of our own.”

Keese is remembered by CSFD as being a respected leader and mentor among his peers.

“Bobby Keese was all things great about firefighters,” said Curt Crumb, Colorado Springs Professional Firefighters Local 5 President. “His mentorship, dedication, and friendship touched and guided so many of our current firefighters. The loss of Bobby is a void that will not be filled.”

Crumb went on to thank their fallen comrade’s loved ones for allowing him to pursue the career his father took and for bringing Keese into their lives.

“We also want to extend our sincere condolences to the family knowing that what Bobby’s chosen profession was, ultimately was what took him away from his family at home, and his fire family in the station,” Crumb continued.

Every September the IAFF holds the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial service to honor the fallen at Memorial Park, located at 1315 East Pikes Peak Avenue. This year’s ceremony will honor IAFF members who died or whose names were submitted between Jan. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2023.