Members of the Towamencin Volunteer Fire Company, joined by first responders from many surrounding agencies, held a final salute late last week to honor their fallen former chief, Clair “Butch” Clemens.
Clemens, who served actively with the fire company for more than 65 years, had recently celebrated his 90th birthday in late-March, but would pass away only a few weeks later on April 18.
“Butch remained very active; after serving as our fire chief, he served several terms on our board of directors,” said Dean Miller, Towamencin’s Public Information Officer. “He was on apparatus committees and was always present for activities, fund raisers, business meetings and emergency calls.”
“The company officers—past and present—put together the final salute,” Miller said. “It was done out of respect for the chief and with the limitations relating to the virus in mind. While there are protocols for line of duty deaths, this recognition was considered to be fitting for all Butch had done.”
On April 23, units from the Towamencin Fire Company, Towamencin Police Department and Towamencin Public Works were joined by neighboring emergency agencies to provide a formal sendoff for Clemens. Ladders from the fire trucks formed an arch across the roadway, with the American flag draped in the middle. Then, dozens of first responders raised their arms to issue a final salute as the hearse passed underneath the archway.
A Long History of Devoted Service
According to Miller, Clemens made it known that he became a fireman after his family’s business, Pleasant Valley Meat Packing in Mainland, was destroyed by a fire in 1946. After the fire, the business would evolve into Hatfield Quality Meats, and Clemens and his wife, Arlayne, would settle into a home in Towamencin Township.
Clemens would then join the Towamencin Volunteer Fire Company in 1952, and he remained an active member in a variety of capacities through 2019.
Don Lepp, a lifetime member of the fire company, said Clemens exemplified all of the qualities of a true leader, and added that Clemens became a role model for many others in the fire service due to his ability to balance his commitment to his family, his community, his business and his faith.
“Butch led by example. Whether it was performing a maintenance or expansion project at the firehouse, preparing or serving a public or catered supper, working to extinguish a fire or perform a rescue, he never asked anybody to do anything that he wouldn't do himself and, in most cases, he actively participated in doing the task with you,” said Lepp. “He was a leader that didn't just speak the words, but who took the time and the lead the actions needed to get the spoken words done.”
That praise was echoed by fellow lifetime member Bob Rau, who said that Clemens’ confidence bled over into other members of the fire company.
“Butch as a leader…you would follow him anywhere,” said Rau. “He might have not done everything by the book, but you always knew if you were in trouble, he was the person that, come hell or high water, he would get you safely out of the problem. You wanted to follow him and be around him, and his confidence level was unrivaled for any problem that needed to be solved. He [also] had the ability to pass on that confidence to you.”
From fundraising efforts to training and readiness, Lepp attributes much of the fire company’s success over the years to the contributions made by Clemens.
“Yes, he had help along the way, but it was his vision, energy, financial support, and savvy business acumen to challenge the fire company to greater things and to have people share in his vision and efforts to get things accomplished,” said Lepp. “As a man, he was blessed to have a family that supported his many ventures and participated in many of the activities, but he was also blessed to be respected by so many non-family members.”
Clemens would ultimately serve more than three decades as Towamencin’s Fire Chief. But even as he stepped down from that role, he continued to exhibit those leadership qualities that had become synonymous with his namesake.
“He made you marvel at his energy and drive,” said Lepp. “When he was preparing to turn the reins of chief over after 33 years, he spent time coaching his successor and prepping him to take over to continue the strong, family oriented company and reputation which he created."
In Memorium
According to his obituary, services for Clemens were private due to the restrictions put into place to combat the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, once those restrictions are lifted, a public memorial service will be held at a later date.
In the interim, Clemens’ legacy will continue to live on through his work with the fire company and his community.
“Butch will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him, but his legacy will live on by all of the people he touched during his life, and hopefully we all will continue these good works and action in our respective communities,” said Rau. “I am very proud to say he was my friend, and I will greatly miss him.”-
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