The Northeast Champaign County Fire District is honoring the memory of Bob Crowder following a donation from the Crowder family that will have a lasting impact on the department and the community.
Following Bob’s passing, the Crowder family chose to make donations to the fire district in lieu of flowers. The generosity helped the department retrofit Station Car 321, allowing the vehicle to remain in service and continue responding to emergencies throughout the community.
As part of the tribute, the fire district placed a special decal honoring Bob on the side of Station Car 321.
Department officials said the decal represents much more than an equipment upgrade. Each time the vehicle leaves the station to answer a call, Bob’s name will be visible alongside the crews serving local residents.
The department said the tribute will serve as a reminder of Bob during emergency calls, including when firefighters respond to people experiencing some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Officials also described the donation as a gift that will become part of the fire district’s history and continue to have an impact for years to come.
The Northeast Champaign County Fire District expressed its gratitude to the Crowder family for remembering Bob through a donation that supports the department’s mission and allows his memory to remain connected to the firefighters he is now being remembered alongside.
The department said Bob will “forever have a place within our fire family,” describing him as a guardian angel watching over crews as they respond to calls and return safely to their own families.
“From this day forward, when Station Car 321 rolls out of the station, Bob rolls with us,” the department said.
The fire district thanked the Crowder family for honoring Bob and allowing the department to carry a piece of his memory wherever Station Car 321 responds.
