AFD to recognize death of Assistant Fire Chief Robert 'Bob' Schwab

In early May of this year, members of the Amarillo Fire Department (AFD) training staff were reviewing records to research information for a course they were preparing to present to the department. AFD said in a news release that to personalize how today’s fire suppression training is delivered, the training staff hoped to glean lessons learned from the 1982 line-of-duty-death (LODD) of AFD Firefighter Kenny Caldwell to incorporate into the fire dynamics concepts taught today. In their research and through conversations within the department, they learned details of an AFD member who had passed away many years ago while on duty. That member was Assistant Fire Chief Robert “Bob” Schwab.

Assistant Fire Chief Robert “Bob” Schwab will now be recognized as the second of five line-of-duty-deaths for the Amarillo Fire Department (AFD). To commemorate this decision, the AFD will honor Chief Schwab’s memory in a ceremony Wednesday at the Amarillo Civic Center Regency Room.

"Chief Schwab reported to work on February 25, 1973," the AFD release states. "Later that afternoon, he and fire crews responded to a structure fire in the 700 block of N. Johnson St. Several hours later, while back at the fire station, Chief Schwab suffered a heart attack and, despite the resuscitation efforts from fellow firefighters, passed away at 44 years of age. Chief Schwab was survived by his wife, Eleanor, and three sons, Robert, Jerry, and Gary. Chief Schwab’s death, though occurring while he was at work, did not meet the criteria of that era to be considered and honored as a LODD. As information was recently presented to the AFD Administration, it was concluded that the department would reclassify Chief Schwab’s passing as an official LODD. Chief Schwab will now be recognized as the AFD’s second of five LODDs."

To commemorate this decision, the AFD will honor Chief Schwab’s memory in a ceremony held at the Amarillo Civic Center Regency Room, on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 9:30 a.m. AFD said Chief Schwab’s family will be in attendance at this event.

Chief Schwab became an Assistant Fire Chief on January 1, 1968, and served the City of Amarillo until his untimely death with 24 years of dedicated service. AFD said it will be forever grateful for Chief Schwab’s sacrifice.