Retired Fire Chief Bob Ely

It is with sadness that we inform you all that former Kirkland Fire Chief, Bob Ely, passed away the night of September 15, 2021.

Betty said that Chief Ely had been battling cancer and died with family by his side.

Chief Ely (#1) was the first hired career member for the City of Kirkland Fire Department in 1969. He served as Chief for 19 years retiring in 1988. Bob led the consolidation of the Kirkland Fire Department, the Houghton Fire Department and Fire District #41 in 1972 into the Greater Kirkland Department of Fire Services.

Thank you, Chief Ely, for setting the tone for our fire department and future generations of Kirkland firefighters.