By EMS1 Staff
BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. — A veteran firefighter-paramedic died Saturday after losing his battle with colon cancer.
The Daily Herald reported that 24-year veteran Kevin Hauber, 51, died surrounded by family after battling cancer for four years.
“Kevin fought long and hard all while still on the job protecting the people of Buffalo Grove, which was his true passion,” the Hauber family said in a statement. “He grew up in Buffalo Grove and became a firefighter because his childhood dream was to protect and serve.”
Hauber began his first responder career in 1994 and became a member of the Associated Firefighters of Illinois Honor Guard 10 years later.
Chief Mike Baker said Hauber cherished the responsibility of serving at events that honored fallen colleagues, and the AFFI Honor Guard awarded him with the 2018 Donald J. Bower Commitment to Excellence Award for his dedication.
“Kevin was a caring, loving person who was always happy and never had anything bad to say about anyone, even when he was sick,” Chief Baker said. “He is already missed.”
While undergoing chemotherapy in 2014, Hauber was able to meet one of his idols, “Emergency!” actor Randolph Mantooth. He told Mantooth about how the show inspired him and his twin brother to become first responders.
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