Today's Featured Biography

 
William Hammel

After graduating maximum cum lousy I began my career as a grease monkey at Anderson-Weber. Figuring this was a dead end job I applied for and began working at Carr Ryder Adams (Caradco) after being laid off worked at the Frank Schwind Service Station until August 1962 when I entered my apprenticeship as a steamfitter.

Served on the Dubuque Fire Department from 1968 to 1976.

First assignment was on Truck Company No. 1 at the old Central Engine House. The truck was a 1947 Seagrave 100' aerial. Had the distinction of being the last Tillerman on the Second Platoon.

In 1971 Dubuque replaced the Seagrave truck with a Pierce/Pitman 85' Snorkel.

During my years on the fire department I was also assigned to Engine Company No. 3 and Ambulance No. 12. Became an EMT in 1975.

Served as President of Dubuque Local 353 of the Professional Firefighters Association from 1969 to 1970.

Began fire department career at the 1892 Central Engine House formerly located at 9th and Iowa Streets (Premier Bank location), when I left the Department I was stationed at the new Fire Department Headquarters at 9th and Central Avenue. I consider my 8-years on the Fire Departmenmt as soem of the best years of my life.

I was elected to the Dubuque City Council in 1981 and served from 1982-1985 I represented the First Ward. Served as Economic Development Liaison for the Council and was instrumental in the founding of the Greater Dubuque Development Corporation and served on the original Board of Directors.

Left Dubuque in 1987 to seek my fortune by going the opposite direction as suggested by Horace Greeley. Moved to Boston and began a second career in construction. Was transferred to Chicago in 1990 and as they say the rest is history.

I spent 44-years in the construction industry having lived and worked in Boston, Chicago and Las Vegas.

At the time of my retirement I was a Senior Project Manager/MEP Coordinator with the Clark Construction Group working out of the Mid-West Regional Office in Chicago.

My responsibilites were as the MEP Coordinator on all Projects to which I was assigned.

Some of my more notable Projects were:
Chicago Title & Trust 57-Story Hi-Rise     $108 Million
Cook County Jail Division XI Maximum Security      98 Million
McCormick Exposition Center South Hall     650 Million
Midway Airport—Terminal & Concourse     198 Million
Great Lakes Naval Base—Recruit Barracks Replacement & Additions     500 Million
McCormick Exposition Center West Hall                         884 Million
300 North LaSalle—58 Story Hi-Rise                         400 Million

Upon retiring Bonnie and I decided to return to the scene of the crime so we relocated to Dubuque. Our children live in Dubuque, Aurora, Ill and Tulsa, OK. We have 23-grandchildren of which none are married, one notably William-III is a member of the Iowa National Guard.

With the assistance of family members have spent the past thirteen years researching with the intention of writing the History of the Dubuque Fire Department. This research is an ongoing process.

VIEW ALL BIOGRAPHIES