Grand Rapids – For more than a decade and a half, retired firefighter Dave Tiesma has been a familiar face beside the historic fire engine at the Streets of Old Grand Rapids exhibit in the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Each Thursday he welcomed visitors, explained how early city firefighters responded to emergencies, and introduced children to the museum’s beloved plastic horses, Ermtrude and Murgatroyd.
His dedication is recorded not only in the stories he tells but also in the museum’s own history. An old Grand Rapids Fire Department book displays his portrait, and a photograph of his former Station No. 6 hangs on the exhibit wall, reminding guests of the real people behind the city’s fire‑fighting legacy.
Final shift marks the end of an era
On Thursday, after 17 years of volunteer service, Tiesma completed his last shift. “It was a lot of fun,” he told FOX 17. “You meet people from all over the world, and you get to talk to them.” He added, “You’re the expert, so to speak,” acknowledging the trust visitors place in his knowledge.
Mo Fleming, the museum’s volunteer manager, praised Tiesma’s impact. “We want this museum to be a reflection of the people and the story of West Michigan,” Fleming said. “Dave is a storyteller extraordinaire. I can repeat every story Dave has ever told me because he’s told me that many times.”
Family, faith and community
Beyond the museum walls, Tiesma looks to his growing family with gratitude. “You got your grandparents, you got your parents, then you get your kids, get your grandkids. Now I’ve got one great granddaughter,” he said. He reflected on the broader tapestry of life he witnesses daily at the museum, noting, “To see all this life taking place, and you’re living through it, and God has been good to me through all this whole thing. I just enjoy it.”
The museum’s volunteer program continues to invite community members who, like Tiesma, wish to share their passions and preserve local heritage. As Fleming emphasized, the goal remains to keep the museum a living, breathing portrait of West Michigan’s people, history and values.
Dave Tiesma’s retirement from volunteering marks the close of a chapter, but his stories and the inspiration he provided will linger in the exhibit for future generations. Visitors can still learn about the brave men and women who kept Grand Rapids safe, and they can feel the gratitude of a community that honors its past while looking forward.
Original reporting: FOX 17 WXMI Grand Rapids (local) — read the source article.
