| |
Robert Lee "Bob" Yager,
Sr.
Carrollton &
Farmers Branch
TXGenWeb |
Home > People >
Y
> Robert Lee "Bob" Yager, Sr.
|
ARTICLES
YAGER ELECTED PRESIDENT OF TEXAS FIRE CHIEFS
Farmers Branch Fire Chief R. L. "Bob" Yager was elected president of
the Texas Fire Chiefs Association at the Chiefs' annual meeting in
Houston on November 6 and 7.
The Texas Fire Chiefs' Association is a state wide organization
consisting of full time professional fire chiefs in the state of Texas.
The association is affiliated with and a department of the Texas
Municipal League. The organization presently has 60 members from all
sections of the state.
Chief Yager is a charter member and was actively involved in the
original organization of the association while serving as president of
the Dallas County Fire Chiefs' Association in 1960 and 1961.
The chief stated that "I feel it is an honor to serve as president of
the Texas Fire Chiefs' Association, and I appreciate the confidence of
my fellow fire chiefs. I will continue to promote the profession of the
fire fighter, to improve methods of fire prevention, protection and
extinguishment, and to promote high standards of professional ethics."
The Carrollton Chronicle - Thursday, November 16, 1967
Submitted by
Edward Lynn Williams
|
OBITUARY
 Robert
Lee (Bob) Yager
January 6, 1930 – December 13, 2022
Obituary
Robert Lee (Bob) Yager, was born January 6, 1930 at home on Bee
St. in Farmers Branch, Texas. He passed away on December 13,
2022 in Mineola, Texas.
He was preceded in death by: his wife of 45 years, Irma Aline
Yager; his father, John R. Yager; his mother, Alva Cartwright; a
brother, BillyPaul Yager; a sister, Susan Van Deilen, as well as
two sons, Robert Lee Yager, Jr (Bobby) and Ronny Keith Yager.
He is survived by: brother, Les Yager; daughter, Sharon Yager
Douglas (spouse – Don); son, Ricky Yager; granddaughter, Amy
Douglas Metcalf (spouse – Shawn); grandson, Clayton Douglas
(spouse – Amber); great-granddaughters, Ellie Metcalf, Alayna
Douglas, & Alexis Douglas.
Bob was a native of Farmers Branch. He was proud to be among the
third generation of his family to be born and reared in the
Farmers Branch area.
On November 20, 1949, Bob joined the Farmers Branch Volunteer
Fire Department. He was elected as its Volunteer Fire Chief in
1953 although he continued his full time position with the
Dallas Fire Department. In the year of 1955, Bob was officially
appointed to the position of Volunteer Fire Chief by the first
City Manager under Farmers Branch’s newly adopted Cities Home
Rule Charter. In 1964, he left the Dallas Fire Department to
become the Farmers Branch Fire Department’s first full time Fire
Chief. At the time, he was considered to be the youngest known
Fire Chief in the state of Texas.
Chief Yager helped organize the Dallas County Fire Chiefs’
Association as well as the Texas Fire Chiefs’ Association. He
had the honor of serving as President of both of those
organizations. Additionally, he was a lifetime member of the
International Association of Fire Chiefs.
During his tenure, Chief Yager was instrumental in the process
of getting some of the leading fire protection codes of the time
passed. In particular, this included a code having a requirement
of retroactive installation of smoke detectors in homes and
apartments in the city. Additionally, under his leadership and
with his guidance, Farmers Branch became the first city in
Dallas County to require sprinkler systems in all multi- story
buildings. Furthermore, Chief Yager guided the Farmers Branch
Fire Department in establishing ambulance service as an integral
part of its routine services. During the time period this was
considered an innovative and novel concept. Finally, the Chief
was among the first to advocate for and provide firefighters
with the latest personal safety equipment available. At the
time, this included fire retardant firefighting gear and self-
contained breathing apparatus.
It was with a sense of pride that Bob helped in organizing the
Farmers Branch City Employees Federal Credit Union. He was
honored to serve as its original President – a term that lasted
for 10 years and ended upon his retirement from public service.
After serving for more than 32 years with the Farmers Branch
Fire Department, Bob Yager retired in 1981. He relocated to
Mineola, TX. There he owned and operated two successful
businesses along with his wife Aline and son Ricky.
It was in 1986 that he retired once again and sold the last of
the businesses. He spent his remaining years enjoying his family
and practicing two hobbies which he enjoyed tremendously –
woodworking (building beautiful furniture for family and
friends) and fishing. Moreover, Fire Chief R.L. “Bob” Yager
always endeavored during those retirement years to keep contact
with the many friends that he had made in his personal and
professional life.
In January of 2009, the Farmers Branch Fire Department held a
special dedication ceremony of Fire Engine Company 133 to give
recognition and appreciation to Chief Yager for his 32 years of
service to developing the Farmers Branch Fire Department.
It is with heavy hearts that we lay to rest the man that meant
so much to so many. May his legacy continue to live on in those
that knew and loved him. |
|
|
YAGER
ROBERT LEE - JAN 6, 1930 - DEC 13, 2022
ALINE ISOM - JAN. 9, 1936 - OCT. 29, 2011
Keenan
Cemetery, Farmers Branch, Dallas County, Texas
|
Notes:
|
|
Carrollton-Farmers
Branch TXGenWeb