Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Sunday, July 28, 2013 at 04:52:14 :
Marin Independent Journal
9 November 2003
STEVEN RUCKER
Steve Rucker wanted to be a firefighter since he was a kid. He was five years old in 1971, when a new TV program called "Emergency" captured his heart with its stories of firefighting heroes. He grew up to become one.
Steve was born in Fontana and grew up in Marino Valley. He graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1984 and studied fire science at Chabot College in Hayward, earning his paramedic certificate from the Western Institute in Daly City. He worked for American Medical Response as a paramedic and EMT. He worked in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties as a seasonal firefighter for the California Department of Forestry.
Steve was with the Richmond Fire Department when a coworker introduced him to his future wife, Catherine Carlson. In 1992, he was hired by the Novato Fire Protection District. The Novato firefighters loved him, respected him. "He was the kind of guy you hope your sister brings home to meet the family," said Novato Fire Captain Tom Kenna.
Rucker took charge of the department's holiday toy drive and bought a pickup truck to handle it all. In his 11 years with Novato, he fought fires, saved heart attack victims and addressed classrooms of kids on how great it is to be a firefighter. Four months ago, Steve and Cathy and their children Kerstin, 7, and Wesley, 2, moved into their ideal home. It was just a couple of blocks from the Ignacio fire station where Steve frequently worked.
His brother Robert said Steve was "the real deal, the last Boy Scout, who never stopped doing the good deed."
Steve is survived by his wife, Catherine, and their children, Kerstin and Wesley; his parents, Darrell and Patricia Rucker of Fremont; his brother, Robert, of Santa Clarita; two sisters, Starla Lincoln of Manteca and Robin Reinders of Santa Clara; two nieces; four nephews; two aunts and one uncle; his wife's parents, Lester and Gloria Carlson of Novato; and his wife's brother Brent Carlson, also of Novato.
A Memorial Service celebrating Steve's life will be held on Wednesday, November 12 at 11:00 a.m. at the Marin Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael.
KEATON'S REDWOOD CHAPEL
415-897-1151
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