Firefighter With Legacy of Service to Mendota Retires

A desire to serve Mendota Heights' residents runs in Keith Stein's blood. His father passed it to him and he passed it to his son.

Keith Stein is retiring from the Mendota Heights Fire Department on Aug. 31. He has been a volunteer firefighter for a little more than 30 years.

"Keith was the 'George Lowe Firefighter of the Year' in 1989 and served two different terms as captain serving over 19 years in an officer role," according to a memo in the agenda packet from Fire Chief John P. Maczko. "Keith was certified to the Firefighter II level and trained to the Haz-mat Technician level.

"Keith had a willingness to step up to the plate and do whatever was needed to get things done. ..."

During the July 16 meeting, when Stein's retirement was approved, City Council member Ultan Duggan wished Stein the best.

"Our city is blessed with having a volunteer fire department, which saves us an awful lot of money. … But even more importantly than that, the firefighters will tell you that for them the blessing is the camaraderie—on top of all the skills and firefighting techniques that they learn—the camaraderie they build. They develop friendships that last a lifetime and beyond."

Duggan said Stein represents the "great spirit and heart that is Mendota Heights."

Stein's son, Dale, is a training officer for the fire department.

City Council member Liz Petschel mentioned that Keith's father, Ellsworth Stein, was a charter member of the Airport Relations Commission.

Maczko's memo also thanked Keith Stein's wife, Rhonda, for supporting her husband during his time with the fire department.

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