Prior to sustaining life altering injuries in 1996, Craig worked as an engineer for the City of San Bernardino Fire Department (SBFD). Craig was an excellent firefighter and civil servant that truly served the citizens of San Bernardino with honor and courage. Craig is the son of retired LAFD Fire Captain Rich “Dick” Alder and the brother of retired SBFD Division Chief Mike Alder.
Craig was severely injured on October 16th 1996 while attending an Oktoberfest celebration in Temecula. As he and his 18 month old son Wyatt were crossing the street to go home, they were struck by a car. Craig and Wyatt sustained severe head trauma and were airlifted to Loma Linda Medical Center in critical condition. After several days it was determined that both had sustained major brain injuries. Miraculously, son Wyatt was able to make a full recovery. Unfortunately, Craig’s injury was a shearing type of injury to the brain and so severe that he would be unable to make a full recovery and most likely unable to ever be able to care for himself.
Craig’s rehabilitation was very lengthy and is ongoing even today. After almost two years of various hospitalizations, he was eventually released to go home with his family. The decision by his incredible wife Buffy to bring him home was against all hospital and doctors recommendations. Due to the severity of the injury and Craig’s severe limitations, he was in need of medical attention and 24 hr. supervision. However, that was not going to deter Buffy who wanted Craig home with her and their two sons. With God’s grace, and the help of family and many friends, Craig is living at home with his family today.
To raise funds as support for Buffy, Craig and their two sons, the annual “Craig Alder Charity Golf Tournament” was founded and continues to this day. The annual golf tournament is a life-line for Buffy. She would not be able to make ends meet and care for Craig the way she does without the money that is raised by family, friends and firefighters. The entire Alder family is so blessed to have so many friends that give of their time and their generous donations to help with financial and heartfelt support.
The Story Behind the Quilt
In early 2013, Janice Munoa, wife of retired LAFD Captain Bob Munoa, approached her husband with the idea of making a “Tee Shirt” quilt for the Craig Alder Charity Golf Tournament. Janice had made a couple of these quilts previously as retirement dinner gifts for both her husband Bob and their good friend retired LAFD Captain Bill Finn. Janice felt that the Alder quilt could be used as an auction item at the next tournament and help to raise additional funds in support of the Craig Alder family. Bob and his family had long been a financial supporter of the charity golf tournament, even though he’s never played a single round of golf!
The idea was born and Bob was assigned to find as many fire service and golf tournament t-shirts that he could. Janice began the labor intensive job of constructing the beautiful quilt you see and completed her work just prior to the 17th Annual Craig Alder Charity Golf Tournament held in Temecula, California on September 9, 2013.
On the day of the tournament, the quilt was proudly displayed for all to see. At the banquet that followed the tournament, the quilt was offered up at a “Live Auction” for all to bid on. There was plenty of interest in the quilt and it was finally sold to the highest bidder, retired LAFD Captain Dennis “Denny” Coville and his wife Sue. Immediately following his purchase of the quilt, Denny turned it over to the Alder family with the desire to have it donated to the LAFDHS Museum, so that it could be shared with fellow firefighters and their families for years to come. The thought behind this was to show the close relationship of fire service families. Firefighters worldwide have always demonstrated their willingness to support each other in difficult times. The quilt is proudly on display at the LAFD Museum in Hollywood.
By Roger Gillis, LAFD retired