Episode 97: Bob Barteck Wausau Fire Chief

The HHAUSA Podcast

I first crossed paths with my close friend Bob Barteck over a quarter century ago. My earliest memories of Bob were of a man who always had a smile on his face, an encouraging word to offer and a heart for serving others.
Those trademark characteristics are alive and well today but nearly came to an abrupt end last summer on a mountaintop out West. Suffering a massive heart attack while on vacation with his wife Kris, the Wisconsin native details the harrowing story of how he had to put years of training as a firefighter/paramedic to use to keep he and his wife calm and get him safely to a hospital from the remote location.
A man of strong faith, Barteck credits the Lord with saving his life that day and putting complete strangers in his path to make that happen. It was a life changing event that caused him to rethink his priorities, so much so that he has turned in his retirement papers early and will be stepping down as the Fire Chief in Wausau by the end of 2023.
With his first grandchild on the way, Bob is excited to start a new season of life, enjoy his family and friends more, build a new home with Kris and continue to serve wherever God calls him to. I am not alone in sharing in the excitement of this next chapter for Bob and am anxious to see it unfold.
A passionate outdoorsman, I have no doubt in my mind that we will be seeing more of him on the HHAUSA circuit, using his gifts, talents and life experiences to come alongside others in need of assistance. While the uniform may be coming off for good this year, Bob Barteck will continue to live his life doing what he does best: serving others with a contagious joy that this world needs more of.
I've been blessed with some amazing friends in my forty eight years and Bob is surely one of them. A wealth of knowledge and always eager to pay it forward, share his story, or a hunting story or two, you can connect with him on Instagram and Facebook.

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