Fox Lake fire chief was 'a true friend of the people'

FOX LAKE – Stu Hoehne, who spent more than four decades working at the Fox Lake Fire Department, died Aug. 7 at his home in Fox Lake. He was 79.

Hoehne lived his whole life in Grant Township and served under nine different Fox Lake mayors while with the fire department, said his daughter Nancy Rogers.

He joined the department in 1957 and became its chief in 1981, a post he held for 20 years.

Even after he retired in 2001, Hoehne would visit the department to speak with the other firefighters and enjoy a cup of coffee, Rogers said.

"The fire department was his passion," she said. "I don't think there was a day he didn't ever go down there."

Battalion Chief Ed Lescher agreed that Hoehne never truly retired from the department.

"He never left. He was there every day," Lescher said. "He had a lot of knowledge to share. He was willing to teach new members the way to do things."

Former Fox Lake Mayor Ken Hamsher said Hoehne wanted nothing less than the best for his firefighters. Most people do not realize the personal sacrifices Hoehne made to help improve his hometown, including pushing for beautification efforts along Grand Avenue in downtown Fox Lake.

Hamsher hoped Hoehne would be remembered by the people of Fox Lake as "a true friend of the people."

"He always had a big smile," Hamsher said. "He was never too busy to talk with you."

Hoehne was a corporal in the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1951 and was an active member of Fox Lake American Legion Post 703 for 58 years. He also was active with the Lake County Fire Chiefs Association and the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association, Rogers said.

The fire station on the corner of Main Street and State Park Road in Fox Lake is named in Hoehne's honor.

Hoehne also was a trustee on the Fox Lake Village Board for two terms and was head of the village's public works department from 1978 to 1995.

"He had a lot of pride in Fox Lake," Rogers said. "His life work will be remembered."

In addition to his commitment to the fire service, Hoehne also was fun to be around and was quick with a joke or a one-liner, Lescher said. Hoehne would do anything for his family, the fire department or the village, he said.

"He was a great chief and a great leader," Lescher said. "He will be sorely missed, that is for sure."

Paul Maplethorpe, chief of the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District, said Hoehne had the respect of other local fire departments, along with the firefighters who worked with him.

Hoehne lived and breathed the fire service, Maplethorpe said, and always was willing to help those around him.

"The best part about Stu was he was a good friend," Maplethorpe said. "People respected Stu because he put his money where his mouth was. If he said he would get something done, he got it done."

Visitation for Hoehne will take place from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, at the Grant Community High School field house, 110 Devlin Road, in Fox Lake.

A service will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday at the field house.