Yesterday evening, June 29, 2019, retired Fire Chief Al Blodgett passed away. Chief Blodgett was a true “lifer,” serving more than half of his life with the Newberg Fire Department.

Since the moment he arrived in 1946, Newberg was always home to Chief Blodgett. Graduating from Newberg High School in 1958, Al’s heart for service led him to join the Newberg Fire Department as a volunteer in 1960.

Chief Blodgett balanced a volunteer firefighting schedule with the owning and operated of Al’s Family Diner until 1984 when he became a full-time paid firefighter. Chief Blodgett worked through the ranks of the department, winning several awards for service and leadership, eventually being sworn as Fire Chief in 2006. Upon his retirement, Chief Blodgett served 50 years with the Newberg Fire Department.

Community always came first for Chief Blodgett, when not responding to emergency calls, he could be found flipping pancakes, wrapping presents for children or hanging Christmas lights around town. If there was an event in Newberg that brought the community together, chances were high that he attended it, helped support it or planned it.

Our thoughts are with his family and the many firefighters that served alongside him. A time and date for his service will be forthcoming.