Richard Kins

WELLSBURG — Local residents, including many Brooke County firefighters, are mourning the death of Richard “Dick” Kins, a member of the Wellsburg Volunteer Fire Department for 54 years and its chief for 38 years.

Kins died on Nov. 17 at the age of 75, ending many years of community involvement that also included membership in the Wellsburg Moose Lodge, American Legion Post 34, Wellsburg Elks Lodge and Sistersville Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“Brooke County and fire service as a whole has lost one of the great ones,” said Brooke County Commissioner Tom R. Diserio, who is assistant Follansbee fire chief and a former assistant chief of the Wellsburg department.

Diserio recalled the example Kins set for him and others who grew up in the Wellsburg fire station, helping in whatever way they could before becoming certified firefighters.

He recalled Kins driving him and other teens to homes and businesses affected by major floods to help with cleanup efforts.

A TRIBUTE TO SERVICE — In honor of the late Richard Kins, longtime Wellsburg fire chief, a U.S. flag was lowered from the crossed ladders of fire trucks belonging to the Wellsburg and Follansbee departments on 12th Street near the Wellsburg Banquet Hall, where a funeral service was held for Kins on Wednesday. -- Warren Scott

Diserio said because of its elevation, “Dick’s house was usually the second spot to be flooded, but it was the last to be cleaned up. That’s how he was. Everybody else came first.”

He said Kins instilled that attitude not only in firefighters serving the Wellsburg department but also in others who went on to serve in other Brooke County fire departments as their lives took them to new homes.

Diserio recalled attending a National Incident Management System training session and its instructors encouraging participants to observe Kins’ leadership in the city’s flood response as an example of efficient management of a major crisis.

He added Kins had worked at Mammoth Plastics for many years, moving later to the US Can Co. in Weirton, and used his skills as an electrician to help many people.

Follansbee Fire Chief Larry Rea, also a veteran local firefighter, said, “Back in the day, when we were younger, we would see each other often.”

Rea said while he and Kins liked to kid each other about the long-time rivalry between Follansbee and Wellsburg high schools, the two fire departments often assisted each other with fires and other emergency calls.

He added in the days when the Follansbee department held a fundraising street fair, Kins and fellow Wellsburg firefighter Fonse “Chipper” DiCostantino often helped with one of the games.

Bob Fowler, former director of the Brooke County emergency management agency, said, “He was a good guy. We worked well together.”

“Whatever I needed from him, he would give,” said Fowler.

Upon his retirement as chief a few years ago, Wellsburg Council adopted a resolution honoring him, and he was presented the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission’s Volunteer award in 2013.

At that time, he laughed about a comment in his introduction that he had been invited to join the Wellsburg Fire Department by his father, the late Bob “Weeno” Kins. who also had served as chief.

Dick joked then that he had been “drafted,” just as he had been drafted into the Army, but he added that his father had taught him everything he knew.

He said he accepted the honor on behalf of his father and all Brooke County firefighters.

Dick’s sons, Edwin “Dutch” and Adam, also followed their father into the department, while Dick’s late brother, Stanley, served as assistant chief for many years; and his nephew, Scott, is its current chief.

Dick also is survived by his wife of 51 years, Anita; siblings, Bob Jr., Bonnie, Diana Burk and Penny James; an uncle, Jack; three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for him was held Wednesday at the Wellsburg Banquet Hall, the social hall owned by the fire department.