Richard Rechenmacher

• Lieutenant
• Naperville Fire Department
• Illinois
• Age: 46
• Year of Death: 1970

Lt. Richard F. Rechenmacher, a career letter carrier and volunteer firefighter in Naperville, IL died in the line of duty December 7, 1970. He, Engineer Jerry Herring and fellow volunteer Bernie Petrowski were killed instantly when their firetruck was hit by a semi while enroute to a mutual aide call in the next town. Richard left behind his wife, Margaret, who devoted her life to preserving Richard’s legacy for their eleven children. She passed away in 2006. May they rest in peace.

This firefighter line of duty fatality occurred before the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial was built in Emmitsburg, Maryland. While this firefighter has not been officially honored at the Memorial site, there are plans to do so when resources are available.