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Richard Glenn “Ricky” Lupe

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Richard Glenn “Ricky” Lupe

Birth
Whiteriver, Navajo County, Arizona, USA
Death
19 Jun 2003 (aged 43)
Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
Burial
Gila County, Arizona, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
The White Mountain Independent
Show Low, AZ 06/25/2003

Richard Glenn Lupe, 43, died June 19, 2003 in Phoenix.

He was born in Whiteriver, to Ralph and Loretta Lupe. Richard Lupe worked with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort Apache Agency as a Fuel Management Supervisor; he gained national recognition for his efforts in playing a vital role in the Rodeo-Chediski fire of June 2002.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Lupe; three sons, Sean Glenn Lupe, Daniel Glenn Lupe and Brent Glenn Lupe, all of Whiteriver; his father, Ralph Lupe, Sr. of Fort Apache; two sisters, Ralita Lupe, and Renita Lupe, both of Fort Apache; five brothers, Robert Lupe of Phoenix, Ralph Lupe Jr., Randy Lupe, Clayton Lupe, all of Whiteriver and Ronnie Lupe of McNary; six aunts and numerous relatives, friends, and co-workers.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Loretta Bones Lupe, and his son, Brad Lupe.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 25 at the Alchesay Activity Center in Whiteriver.

Owens Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hero Arizona Firefighter Dies

HEATHER CASPI
Firehouse.com News

Arizona Firefighter Rick Lupe is being remembered as a hero for saving hundreds of homes and lives during his career, but he never saw himself that way.

"He said he did not view himself as a hero, he was just doing his job," said Chadeen Palmer, Public Information Officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs at Fort Apache.

"He will be missed and mourned by so many people," she said.

Lupe, 42, worked for the BIA for 20 years. He began as a hotshot, then served as a hotshot supervisor and most recently as a fuels management specialist.

"He was a very very gentle, polite, dignified person," Palmer said. "He did his job without looking for any admiration or reward."

Lupe passed away Thursday due to severe injuries he suffered while working on a controlled burn on Sawtooth Mountain on May 14.

He was working alone when he was overtaken by flames. The accident is still under investigation, Palmer said. However, "With his passing it may remain a mystery," she said.

Investigators know that Lupe did deploy his fire shelter, but they don't know whether he was able to use it or if the wind and fire blew it away. After the fire burned over him, Lupe walked half a mile to the location where a helicopter picked him up and transported him to the hospital.

"He was truly amazing both physically and mentally," Palmer said.

Lupe suffered burns to 33 percent of his body and was treated at the Maricopa Burn Center in Phoenix, where he underwent two skin graft surgeries.

He is survived by his wife Evelyn and three teenaged sons. Palmer said he taught his sons to love the outdoors as much as he did, and the oldest son has recently applied to become a Fort Apache hotshot like his father.

"It's like losing a family member to us all," Palmer said.

Lupe was hailed as a hero last year for saving the city of Show Low and other nearby communities from the devastating Rodeo-Chediski fire, by holding it back with fire lines. The 469,000 acre fire was the largest in Arizona history.

Funeral/Memorial arrangements: Chief Alchesay Activity Center, Whiteriver, AZ. Wednesday, June 25 at 1 p.m., with burial to follow at Canyon Day Cemetery in Canyon Day, AZ

Flowers can be sent to Owens Mortuary at 320 North 9th St. in Show Low, Arizona 85901.

According to a BIA press release, donation accounts have been established for Lupe's family.
~~~~~~~~~
Smokejumpers.com

FIREMANS PRAYER

When duty call's me, oh Lord,
Wherever Flames may rage,
Give me strength to save some life
Whatever Be it's age.

Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Or save an older person from
The horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert,
and oh Lord, guide my every move,
for life is so precious,
please don't let us lose.

I want to fill my calling and
To give the best in me
To guard my every neighbor
and protect their property.

And if according to thy will,
That I must give my life,
Then with thy protecting hand my Lord, I pray thee, protect my
children and my wife.

Author Unknown
The White Mountain Independent
Show Low, AZ 06/25/2003

Richard Glenn Lupe, 43, died June 19, 2003 in Phoenix.

He was born in Whiteriver, to Ralph and Loretta Lupe. Richard Lupe worked with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort Apache Agency as a Fuel Management Supervisor; he gained national recognition for his efforts in playing a vital role in the Rodeo-Chediski fire of June 2002.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Lupe; three sons, Sean Glenn Lupe, Daniel Glenn Lupe and Brent Glenn Lupe, all of Whiteriver; his father, Ralph Lupe, Sr. of Fort Apache; two sisters, Ralita Lupe, and Renita Lupe, both of Fort Apache; five brothers, Robert Lupe of Phoenix, Ralph Lupe Jr., Randy Lupe, Clayton Lupe, all of Whiteriver and Ronnie Lupe of McNary; six aunts and numerous relatives, friends, and co-workers.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Loretta Bones Lupe, and his son, Brad Lupe.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 25 at the Alchesay Activity Center in Whiteriver.

Owens Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements.
~~~~~~~~~~
Hero Arizona Firefighter Dies

HEATHER CASPI
Firehouse.com News

Arizona Firefighter Rick Lupe is being remembered as a hero for saving hundreds of homes and lives during his career, but he never saw himself that way.

"He said he did not view himself as a hero, he was just doing his job," said Chadeen Palmer, Public Information Officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs at Fort Apache.

"He will be missed and mourned by so many people," she said.

Lupe, 42, worked for the BIA for 20 years. He began as a hotshot, then served as a hotshot supervisor and most recently as a fuels management specialist.

"He was a very very gentle, polite, dignified person," Palmer said. "He did his job without looking for any admiration or reward."

Lupe passed away Thursday due to severe injuries he suffered while working on a controlled burn on Sawtooth Mountain on May 14.

He was working alone when he was overtaken by flames. The accident is still under investigation, Palmer said. However, "With his passing it may remain a mystery," she said.

Investigators know that Lupe did deploy his fire shelter, but they don't know whether he was able to use it or if the wind and fire blew it away. After the fire burned over him, Lupe walked half a mile to the location where a helicopter picked him up and transported him to the hospital.

"He was truly amazing both physically and mentally," Palmer said.

Lupe suffered burns to 33 percent of his body and was treated at the Maricopa Burn Center in Phoenix, where he underwent two skin graft surgeries.

He is survived by his wife Evelyn and three teenaged sons. Palmer said he taught his sons to love the outdoors as much as he did, and the oldest son has recently applied to become a Fort Apache hotshot like his father.

"It's like losing a family member to us all," Palmer said.

Lupe was hailed as a hero last year for saving the city of Show Low and other nearby communities from the devastating Rodeo-Chediski fire, by holding it back with fire lines. The 469,000 acre fire was the largest in Arizona history.

Funeral/Memorial arrangements: Chief Alchesay Activity Center, Whiteriver, AZ. Wednesday, June 25 at 1 p.m., with burial to follow at Canyon Day Cemetery in Canyon Day, AZ

Flowers can be sent to Owens Mortuary at 320 North 9th St. in Show Low, Arizona 85901.

According to a BIA press release, donation accounts have been established for Lupe's family.
~~~~~~~~~
Smokejumpers.com

FIREMANS PRAYER

When duty call's me, oh Lord,
Wherever Flames may rage,
Give me strength to save some life
Whatever Be it's age.

Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Or save an older person from
The horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert,
and oh Lord, guide my every move,
for life is so precious,
please don't let us lose.

I want to fill my calling and
To give the best in me
To guard my every neighbor
and protect their property.

And if according to thy will,
That I must give my life,
Then with thy protecting hand my Lord, I pray thee, protect my
children and my wife.

Author Unknown

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