Michael B. Corn, 67, was training officer for the Conway Springs Volunteer Fire Department. Mike was born to be a firefighter. Even as a young boy, his mom, Dorothy, would say that he’d set small fires in the backyard just to extinguish them! In 1967, he was drafted into the Army and served as a lieutenant in Vietnam. He joined the Wichita Fire Department in 1968. Mike met his wife, Cindy, when she reported a small office trash fire at work. After the crew extinguished the fire, Mike spoke with Cindy to get the details about the fire, then asked Cindy’s coworker for her phone number! They married and then had their daughter, Tiffany.

Throughout his life, he followed his passion for firefighting and teaching. He and another firefighter started the Wichita Firefighters Explorer group, which enabled young adults to explore firefighting as a career. Mike developed many lifelong friendships from this program for two generations. He even taught the son of his first Explorer group member!

While working as a firefighter and construction worker on the side, Mike earned his bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University. He was promoted to chief of public education for the WFD. He proudly served on the WFD Honor Guard. He retired from the WFD and was the fire and life safety officer for Via Christi Hospital.

Mike taught many aspiring firefighters as an instructor at Butler County Community College and Hutchinson Community College. He could not be out in Wichita without somebody stopping to talk! Everyone remembered him and his sense of humor!

Once Mike “retired,” he was a fire safety consultant for local medical facilities. He also continued his volunteer leadership roles at the Kansas Firefighters Museum and Conway Springs Volunteer Fire Department. He treasured the friendships of these fellow volunteers and was always willing to help with community events and to help his fellow firefighters. He made his last call on April 27, 2015, at the Conway Springs fire station, when he had a heart attack and collapsed while getting ready to answer an alarm. He was surrounded by his fellow firefighters when the Lord called him to heaven.

Mike cherished and loved his family. He admired his son-in-law, Dan, and often would go flying with him or do woodworking projects together. Mike adored Dan and Tiffany’s daughter, Abby. “Grandpa C” loved to tease Abby!

Daddy was always there to lend a hand—to a stranger in a fire, helping our family with projects, or just offering advice to a new firefighter. He truly lived to help and save other’s lives. He made such an impact, not only within our family, but within our community. We love you, Daddy!