Newly retired fire chief cooling off
One week after ending his 40-year career, newly retired OaklandPark Fire Chief DonaldP. Widing woke up at 5:45 a.m., as usual, andcheckedthenews. Buthedidn’t climb into his car. “As a matter of fact, I’m working on the boat right now,” he said of the 27-foot Stamas Expresshetakesoceanfishing. “I’ve lostmy fishing skills. I plan on reinventing that.”
On Jan. 30, Widing shook hands with his colleagues from the Oakland Park Fire Rescue Department and thanked the 70 or so staffmembers for what he called the privilege ofworking withthemfor the best13 years ofhiscareer. Widing startedin WestPalm Beach, whenhe stepped in to head a department of 150 people, six fire stations and a budget of $11 million during a federal investigation into sexual discrimination. Widing’s challenge in OaklandPark was different: a six-year recession so severe, the department made do with no assistant chief.
In both cases, Widing was prepared. Flying two missions a week with the 483rdTactical AirliftWing in Vietnam had taught him towork under pressure to coordinate and schedule deliveries to a landing site, and to supervise a crew. It not only opened the door to a fire service career, but also grounded him in a set of values.
He recalled putting ice cream on dry ice and bringing it to a child from the indigenous Montagnard tribe. “I gave this kid the first cold thing he ever touched,” he said. “It taughtme there is a lot more to life than just a job.”
Widing is looking forwardto that now: onhis boat, withhischildhood sweetheart and wife of 48 years, Elaine, with his childrenandgrandchildren. At his retirement ceremony, Acting Fire Chief Stephen Krivjanik acknowledged the sacrifice made by Elaine, son Donald Jr. and grandson Donald. “Be assured (Widing) has made such a difference in the lives of somany people,” Krivjanik said. “It is 40 years well spent.”
Widing seemed to be adjusting when, during a Super Bowl going intooverrtime, hethought, “Shoot. I have to go to bed,” then remembered, “I don’t have to go in tomorrow!”
A clear sign came two days later: a photo of Widing on his boat, named “OurTime.”
eroberts@tronc.com