Chambersburg fire chief to retire

CHAMBERSBURG - Chambersburg's emergency services chief, Howard "Butch" Leonhard, will retire next month after 40 years in the fire service. 

Leonhard started as assistant emergency services chief in 2012, before moving up to chief two years later following the resignation of his predecessor, William FitzGerald. His last day will be Jan. 19. 

Leonhard began his career in 1977 with the Union Hose Co. No. 1 of Middletown, according to a news release from the Chambersburg Fire Department. He went on to join the Garrettford-Drexel Hill Fire Co., Drexel Hill, in 1985, where he worked his way up to captain and was a paid driver for several years. In 1991, he was hired as a firefighter for the Coatesville Veteran’s Hospital Fire Department.

In 1992, Leonhard was appointed to Career Recruit School 24 with the Prince George’s County Fire Department in Maryland. He rose through the ranks in his 20-year career, including fire technician, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, and retired in 2012 as an assistant fire chief, the release states. 

Leonhard is a veteran of both the United States Navy and the United States Air Force Reserve.

Butch and his wife, Marcia, are retiring at the same time and will be traveling the United States and Canada in their motor home, the release states. 

"The officers and members of the Chambersburg Fire Department want to wish Chief Leonhard a healthy and happy retirement," the release states.