Reginald E. "Reggie" Royer Minnesota Fire Service News

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Never Forget 343
Gave It All On
9-11-2001

Current Threat Level

It is with great sadness to report the passing of a Minnesota Legend Reggie Royer ... He loved the department and made sure everyone knew where Hermantown MN was at. While Reggie is probably known best for his antics at conventions, he was truly a pioneer in the fire service serving 38 years for Hermantown. Herb Psick and Reggie were the ones that went door to door and presented the State legislature the petitions to get the 2% checks that all departments get from the insurance companies today. Reggie served as a Director for many years in the MSFDA and was a member of the MSFCA. ...........

Reginald E. "Reggie" Royer

Reginald E. 'Reggie' Royer, 77, of Hermantown, died unexpectedly Saturday, Jan. 22, 2005 from a heart attack while plowing his driveway at home.

He was born in Duluth on Jan. 5, 1928, to Gaudias and Laura Martino Royer. Reggie attended the former St. Jeans Catholic School and also attended Denfeld High School, where he played running back on the football team. Following World War II, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and was recalled to Active Duty and fought in the Korean War. He married Patricia Jezierski in Duluth on Sept. 2, 1950. As a young man Reggie worked at Inner Lake Iron. He later served as Fire Chief at the Duluth Air Base from 1954 to 1984. He also was a member of the Hermantown Fire Dept. since 1954 where he served as Fire Chief for 19 years.

Reggie was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and a 3rd Degree member of its Knights of Columbus Council, American Legion Post 71, VFW Post 137, Elks Club, had served as Chairman and Supervisor of the Hermantown Town Board, was a state Fire Warden for 45 years, taught firemanship training, through the Board of Education, to regional fire depts., was the last Justice of the Peace in Minnesota before the position was phased out, and had played football for the Marine Corps at the Rose Bowl Stadium.

In recognition of his efforts to make Hermantown the city is it today, Feb. 22, 1997 was decreed 'Reggie Royer Day' by the Mayor of Hermantown, and is an annual observance.

He was preceded in death by his parents, several brothers, and one sister. He is survived by his wife, Pat; daughters, Linda (David) Ferrin, of Duluth; Sharon Royer, Wrenshall, and Sandra (Thomas) Hamer, Twin Cities; brothers Lloyd (Dorothy), Hermantown, Lawrence (Vivian) Duluth, Rolland (Marcy), Hermantown, Richard, Duluth; sisters Cleo (Jim) Larson, Duluth, Mary Ann (Jerry) Jacobson, Duluth; grandchildren Jessica, John, Nicole Scott, and Michael.

VISITATION:5-7 p.m. with Rosary 7 p.m. all at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Visitation continues from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service Wednesday, at St. Lawrence. Burial at Oneota Cemetery. Military Honors accorded by the Combined Duluth Honor Guard. Arrangements by Williams-Lobermeier Funeral Home.

Published in the Duluth News Tribune on 1/24/2005.

He loved the department and made sure everyone knew where Hermantown MN was at. While Reggie is probably known best for his antics at conventions, he was truly a pioneer in the fire service serving 38 years for Hermantown.

Herb Psick and Reggie were the ones that went door to door and presented the State
legislature the petitions to get the 2% checks that all departments get from the insurance companies today. Reggie served as a Director for many years in the MSFDA and was a member of the MSFCA.

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