Neff honored for decades of dedication to city
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Lock Haven Fire Department Chief Robert "Bob" Neff receives a resolution, honoring him for his years of service to the community, from Mayor Joel Long.
LOCK HAVEN -- Outgoing Lock Haven City Fire Chief Robert "Bob" Neff received a standing ovation and multiple congratulations as he was honored for his decades of service to the city.
Lock Haven City Council unanimously passed a resolution, which thanked Neff for his 48 years of fire service -- many of which were to the city and its residents.
Neff joined Hope Hose Company in March of 1975, also serving in Fairfax, Va., for a time before becoming a full time fire truck driver on June 17, 1985.
Mayor Joel Long read the full resolution, which noted that Neff dedicated 38 years to the city's fire department -- with many years served without a single sick day.
Neff served more than 9,000 days as chief, second chief or assistant chief for the Lock Haven Fire Department, Long said, and for more than a decade has served as the administrator for the fire department.
"(The city) is honored that more than 42 of those years have been dedicated to the safety and health of the residents in the city he calls home," Long said.
Neff received a standing ovation from those who attended Monday's meeting, held at the Public Works Building along Second Avenue.
Neff thanked council for the resolution.
"It's been more than fun," he said of his time with the department. Neff plans to continue his service in a volunteer capacity at Hand in Hand following his retirement on Sept. 4.
Neff said his wife, who attended the meeting, has been a huge support to him during his time with the city.
"Back in 1985 before we got married I explained to her what the job meant, what the job was going to entail and what was going to happen," he said. "As you can see, she's still here... has never said a bad word about the fire department whatsoever. Anytime I'd go out to do anything... and you can pick anything that you'd like to think about and I've probably left doing it."
"Thank you very much and I appreciate it," he said.
Following council's presentation. Deputy Chief Tyler Wooding was quick to offer the fire department's thanks for Neff's years of service.
Wooding presented Neff with a plaque, thanking him for his 48 years of service.
Wooding is set to take over as chief following Neff's retirement. Chief Eric Brungard will be appointed to the position of Deputy Fire Chief and Captain Jake Neff will be appointed to the position of Assistant Fire Chief.