The Arrowhead Loses Ted Garver

   He was a mainstay of the Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association for years.  For 24 years, he was a dedicated member of the Chisholm Fire Department.  Today, he is gone.  His name was Ted Garver.  On Saturday, March 20, Ted lost his short, but courageous battle with cancer.  He would have turned 55 on March 22^nd.  While Ted is gone, his presence will be with us for many years to come.  His memory will be with us forever.

   Ted Garver was an organizer and very meticulous in what he did.  As the Secretary/Treasurer of the Arrowhead Regional Firefighters’ Association, he had the awesome and challenging responsibilities of keeping track of the organization’s finances and meeting minutes.  Some will tell you that he kept Arrowhead President Bob Brown of Chisholm in line during the Arrowhead meetings.  From time to time, Bob would comment about how organized Ted was and how he wished he could be that way.

   Ted Garver was a very serious firefighter.  His goal was always to be on the nozzle, knocking down the fire and keeping the “animal” in check.  Ted used his 20+ years in the fire service to educate the younger firefighters of his department.  One of his all-time famous quotes was to a young firefighter instructor, who apparently thought he was going to give Ted a lesson in firefighting.  “I have more time backing up a fire truck than you do driving it forward,” said Ted.  The discussion and the lesson abruptly ended.  Ted was very proud of his years with the Chisholm Fire Department.  His fellow firefighters will miss him dearly, much as they did when Ted made that painful decision to retire from the department.

   Ted won’t be very far from us.  We’ll always remember him furiously taking notes at the Arrowhead meetings.  We’ll also remember him struggling with the tape recorder and occasionally saying evil things about it.  We won’t forget his smiling face as he bought us a round of beers at Tom and Jerry’s Bar in Chisholm.  In our own quiet private thoughts, there will be a very special memory of Ted that will be forever in our hearts.  Goodbye Ted!  We’ll miss you!

Scholarship established in Ted’s memory

   A scholarship has been set up in Ted Garver’s memory.  For more information, you can contact Ted’s friend, Bob Brown, at (218) 254-7921, Chisholm firehall.

See editorial page for more on Ted Garver.