RIP Robert Cullison

[Fire Marshal Bill]

I have just been made aware of the passing of Robert Cullison. Many of you probably don’t know him by name, but I am sure you would recognize him if you saw him. Bob was a long time member of the Cashtown Fire Department and fire police. He was also a member of the Gettysburg Fire Police, and very, VERY, active with the Adams County Fire Police Association.

I can’t remember an activity or event in or even around Adams County that Bob didn’t help with. He was a fixture at these events, and he will be missed.

He served as an inspiration and a model for many in the emergency service and in the community.

Rest in Piece Bob, you will be missed by many.

[lifesaver]

From today's Gettysburg Times:



Cullison leaves indelible mark on county




Posted: Thursday, August 23, 2012 12:07 am | Updated: 6:10 am, Thu Aug 23, 2012.

BY MARK WALTERS Times Staff Writer | 0 comments

Adams County bid farewell to a dedicated volunteer this week as Bob Cullison passed away. He was 68.

Cullison, a member of multiple fire departments around the county, served as fire police captain of Cashtown Fire Department and president and vice president of the Adams County Fire Police Association. He was also head custodian at Franklin Township Elementary School, where he worked for 31 years.

Those close to the U.S. Army veteran remember Cullison as a selfless man of service to his community.

"He would not turn down a request for any kind of community service," said Mark Fruehan, fire police captain for the Gettysburg Fire Department. "He always thought of others. It didn't matter who you were or what time of the day or night it was; that was the way he lived his life."

Gary Mauston, who worked with Cullison at the Cashtown Community Fire Department, said he got along with everybody.

"He was a very, very, very nice gentleman," Mauston said.

Cullison's 28-year-old daughter, Victoria Cullison, said she learned responsibility and respect from her father.

"He taught me that you can volunteer your time," she said. "You don't always have to get paid for it."

Cullison's wife of 44 years, Barbara, said her late husband was involved with so much stuff "it wasn't funny."

"He really loved doing what he did," Barbara said. "He would give his right arm for anybody."

Cullison, who was admiringly known as "Mr. Bob" to thousands of students at Franklin Township Elementary School, also volunteered his time providing security at Gettysburg School District events such as football games and school dances.

"I could always count on Bob," said Dave Nett, former building and grounds director for Gettysburg School District. "He always had the school district and the community in mind no matter what he did. He was always willing to help. I could call on him last minute to fill in for someone and he was always available. He never complained; he was a willing worker."

Eric Nagle, former chief of the Cashtown Community Fire Department, knew Cullison as a student at Franklin Township Elementary School, as a parent of students and as an adult working with him at the fire department.

"Bob was a very genuine soul," Nagle said. "He was your best friend."

Nagle said Cullison was one of the best school employees he ever knew, from a parental standpoint and as a student.

"He would always give the kids a smile," Nagle said. "He made sure the kids had what they needed and were taken care of. He'd put his arm around kids and ask them about their days. Knowing today's society, he said that may have been the only caring touch some kids received from an adult figure."

Nagle also touted Cullison's work ethic, calling him one of the most dedicated people he has ever had the privilege of working with at the fire department.

"Whatever needed to be done, he did," Nagle said. "His job as fire police was often very thankless. But it didn't matter if it was freezing cold, 100 degrees or pouring down rain, he never complained. He was very dedicated to his life's work. He's going to be greatly missed at the fire department as well as in the community. From Cashtown, the school and other fire departments, there's not too many lives he didn't touch."

Jim Rudisill, member of the Gettysburg and Cashtown fire departments and vice president of the Adams County Fire Police Association, remembered Cullison as a leading voice that in the early 1980s paved the way for Adams County fire police officers to get citizens band (CB) radios to better communicate.

"Bob was like a father to me coming up with the fire department," Rudisill said. "In tough times, Bob was there for me. He's going to be missed."

Fruehan referred to Cullison as an icon, a cornerstone of the community through the school district and fire service.

"He improved the safety, readiness and preparedness of our community," Fruehan said. "Bob pioneered what you see being done around the county now with traffic safety procedures and materials. He had his hands in a lot of that very early on. We're building upon his vision as we move forward."

Fruehan estimated it will take months, possibly even years until people realize all that Cullison was involved with.

"It's just so far-reaching," Fruehan said. "We're finding so much behind the scenes that he's done. It's tough to wrap your mind around what that man accomplished."

Still, what his daughter will remember most about her father is one of his final sentences he uttered while on the ambulance ride to York Hospital.

"And that was to 'tell my daughter and my wife they're my world,'" Victoria said through noticeable emotion. "He was our rock. He'd do anything he could for us."

Mark Walters may be reached at [e-mail] or followed on Twitter @walt_walters.