Napoleon firefighter answers last call

AMY DAVIDSON PHOTO

Ralph Meyer, his son, Steven Meyer, who is now the Napoleon Vol. Fire Department Chief, and grandchildren, Julia and Logan, pause to take a photo this past summer when Ripley Publishing Co. published a story on their dedication to the fire service. Ralph had served 58 years for the department, starting when he was just 14 years old.

The fire community is once again grieving with the loss of Napoleon firefighter Ralph Meyer, 72, Napoleon. He was the past Fire Chief with his son, Steven, holding the Chief position at this time. Ralph passed in the Line of Duty after serving at a structure fire the night before he suffered a fatal heart attack on December 4.

Meyer served the fire department since he was 14-years-old, following in the footsteps of his grandfather. Four generations of the Meyer family have served.

Meyer’s genuine love for the fire company, along with his dedication and kindness to those he met, was second to none. He is described as a great man – a firefighter’s firefighter. To those who were fortunate enough to know him, he was a mentor, supporter and a true friend. He was a man of his word.

Visitation will be held for family and friends on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Napoleon Volunteer Fire Department Station from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at the Smyrna Lutheran Church on Wednesday, December 11 at 11:00 a.m.

Fire departments who would like to place an apparatus in the procession from the Napoleon Fire Station to the church for the funeral should be at the fire station by 9 a.m. on Wednesday, December 11.

Editor’s Note: A full obituary is inside today’s paper on Pg. 2.