| Year Honored | |
|---|---|
| 2014 | |
| Honoree | |
| Robert D Hanes, Sr. | |
| Title | |
| Driver | |
| Agency | |
| Weeping Water Volunteer Rescue Squad | |
| Agency City | |
| Weeping Water | |
| Agency State | |
| Nebraska | |
| Last Call | |
| 6/12/13 | |
| Biography | |
| To put it simply, Bob lived his life in service to others. He was always first to volunteer his expertise or give a helping hand. Whether it was at work helping farmers with irrigation pump matters, or a tractor in need of a part, or at church helping a fellow parishioner, or cooking at the annual barbecue, he helped people of all ages; down at the local ball field with kids in the summer and clearing elderly neighbors' driveways of snow in the winter. Along with Bob's love of service was his love and dedication to his family.In the early 1980s, Mr. Hanes volunteered as a firefighter and EMT in Springfield, only to resign to give time for an even greater passion - that of raising a family. He and his wife Carol had four children together. He devoted his time to his family and was very proud of his children's accomplishments. The two raised their children in the manner they lived as caring, humble, patient, and always willing to help.In 2012, Bob returned to volunteering by joining the Weeping Water Volunteer Rescue Squad as a driver. Although his title was driver, he volunteered his time in all aspects of the Rescue Squad and EMS responsibilities. He was the epitome of an EMS provider.On the evening of June 12, 2013, Bob was at the dinner table with family when the tones alerted, sending him on his way to assist. The call was within the Weeping Water city limits, and he, along with his daughter Melissa, an EMT and a trainee, responded.As they were transporting their patient to a hospital in Lincoln, a motorist called 911 to report a truck driving erratically along the same road the ambulance would soon be traveling. As the crew proceeded down Highway 31 near Elmwood, the erratic truck crossed into the path of the ambulance striking it head-on. The motorist that made the initial 911 call witnessed the accident and reported it to the 911 operator.Bob was pinned in the front of the ambulance and in critical condition. It took rescuers nearly 2 hours to disentangle him from the wreckage; all the while he was more concerned about his daughter and the others on the ambulance. Bob was flown to a nearby trauma center where he later died of his injuries.Honored 2014 |
The United States Official National EMS Memorial Service
