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Honoring the Skipper: At the dance party Saturday night commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Chesterton Fire Department, the Town Council unanimously proclaims the week of Aug. 10-17 Warren “Skip” Highwood Week in gratitude to Fire Chief Highwood’s 40 years of service to the town and names the fire station in honor of him. From left to right: Member Bob Crone, R-3rd; Member Gina Darnell, R-5th; Member Sharon Darnell, D-4th; President Frank Sessa, D-2nd; Clerk-Treasurer Gayle Polakowski; Highwood; Deputy Fire Chief Kurt Keiser; and Assistant Fire Chief Mike Orlich.                                                                            (Tribune photo by Kevin Nevers)

By KEVIN NEVERS

For 100 years the Chesterton Fire Department has been standing by the people and property of this town.

And for 40 of those 100 years Warren “Skip” Highwood has been standing by the CFD, first as a volunteer, then as the town’s first career firefighter, and now—for the last 12 years—as Chief.

So when Tak-A-Bite opened its first set Saturday night at the street dance commemorating the 100th anniversary of the CFD, it dedicated its first song to Highwood: Stand By Me, a nice touch, a good song, a token of the esteem in which the more than 400 people who attended the dance hold this quiet man.

In fact Saturday was a night of dedications, and the Town Council had one of its own. At a special meeting convened on Broadway and in the shadow of the fire station, members voted unanimously to proclaim the week of Aug. 10-17 Warren “Skip” Highwood Week in the Town of Chesterton and to name that station in honor of the Skipper.

The proclamation:

Whereas dedication to family and public service sets certain individuals out apart from the rest; and

Whereas, in June 1962, at the young age of 19, Warren “Skip” Highwood committed himself to the Town of Chesterton by becoming a member of its volunteer fire department; and

Whereas Skip has continuously given of himself to the town since June 1962 by becoming a full-time member in 1973, and eventually the Chief of the Chesterton Fire Department in 1990; and

Whereas the year 2002 marks 40 years of exemplary public service by Skip; and

Whereas this proclamation is from a very grateful community,

It is hereby proclaimed by the Chesterton Town Council as follows:

In recognition of 40 years of service to the community, the Town of Chesterton dedicates and names its fire station in honor of Warren “Skip” Highwood.

Furthermore, the week of Aug. 10-17, 2002, is declared Warren “Skip” Highwood Week in the Town of Chesterton.

“You’ve built a tremendous history of something the community can be proud of forever,” President Frank Sessa, D-2nd, told Highwood.

The ceremony wasn’t quite finished, though. Bob Harris of State Fire Marshal’s Office next presented Highwood, on behalf of Gov. Frank O’Bannon, the Governor’s Meritorious Service Award.

Then, one by one, the career and volunteer firefighters of the CFD trooped by Highwood to shake his hand and offer their personal wishes.

Highwood, true to form, expressed his gratitude but made no speech.

“It’s a heck of a surprise,” Highwood told the Chesterton Tribune later. “I thank everyone for showing up and for the presentations. It’s quite an honor.”

An honor which his colleagues said is well deserved.

“Skip is one of those people who’s always willing to help someone,” Street Commissioner John Schnadenberg said. “In the middle of the night in a snowstorm he shows up with a truck with a plow. His department is always reading to help and his intentions are always good. He’s always there. If you have a problem, he’s there.”

“He’s the best boss I’ve ever had,” Lt. Rudy Jiminez said, “without a doubt. He’s the type of guy who’ll give you the shirt off his back.”

“He does anything for anyone,” Clerk-Treasurer Gayle Polakowski said. “That’s why this time it’s nice to do something for him.”

“What’s the best thing I remember about Skip?” Member Bob Crone, R-3rd, said. “The apartment fire at 11th Street and Porter Ave. A reporter wanted a comment from Skip. He said, ‘The fire is out.’ Skip is a man of few words. ‘The fire is out.’”

Posted 8/12/2002