Apparatus Operator – Fire Station 95-A
Deceased:
03/15/2022
Appointed:
05/12/1962
Pensioned:
06/29/1982 – FS 95A
Services:
PRIVATE
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
I worked with Charlie at old 3s, he was a fun guy and knew his job well. He will be missed. RSIP
You and my dad went way back and I think of you fondly Charlie. God Bless.
On one of Chucks runs while driving Truck 30 on the B shift, he came to a crossroads where a vehicle from each direction had stopped in the intersection leaving barely enough room for the truck to pass. Chuck shot through at around 30 MPH. Captain Otis Kirkman, a little pale and wide eyed, asked “Why didn’t you slow down? Chuck replied “Why, it wouldn’t make it any wider.”
He was competent and confident, a great combination.
I remember him from when I worked at 30s and had over time days at 14s they called him charley o because he would reach over drive in truck 14 in two blocks again 14s had a great crew wish your family well
Charlie Raymer was a character in a fire station full of “characters”. I was assigned to FS 14 in the mid-1970’s on a different shift from Charlie. He was kind of a “wild and crazy guy”. First of all he could not talk without snapping his fingers. Second, he drove Truck 14 like a wild man. I believe when he came to 14’s he had just won a driving bet made at another station. The bet was for $100 that he, Charlie, could go ONE YEAR without an accident. I only tillered for him a few times and considered myself lucky to have not crashed. Charlie was always up for almost anything and was somewhat outspoken now and then. He was a great influence on the youngsters at 14’s. He also knew his stuff at fires.
RIP Charlie
Charlie was the Auto Fireman at 14 B when I got to 14’s. Many memories of those days. I tillered behind Charlie for a few years. He had a reputation as a fast driver, but I always felt safe and confident with him. Quite a cast of characters on all three shifts, on the B it was Charlie Davis, Dinko Klarin, Charlie Raymer, Steve Baumeister, Ray Johnson, John Walters, Chuck Kane, Merril Reed, Greg Ikeda, Harold Fliegner, Carl Whal, Dave Cumbe and more. Played hard and fought fire hard. In 1979 Charlie and I bought a muffler shop in 66’s first in from Paul Shakstad’’s brother. I was teaching him to weld exhaust pipe, he would practice and I would throw it on the floor and it would break, Charlie was not shy showing a little temper. I remember a run down Central Ave and a SOD Captain yelling at Charlie , why are you in 4th gear already and Charlie yelling back, it wont go any faster in 3rd. It was interesting to listen to his stories of flying his plane to Havasu and the military pilots playing games with him. As a young fireman I learned a lot from those characters, as with Dinko Klarin, Charlie made a difference in my career and life. He was a friend and a partner. Rest In Peace my friend I will always remember you
Charlie was the B shift Auto Fireman when I got to 14B. 14’s was full of CHARACTERS on all shifts, they played hard and fought fire hard. On the B we had Charlie Davis, Dinko Klarin, Charlie Raymer, Steve Baumeister, John Walters, Ray Johnson, Chuck Kane, Greg Ikeda, Merril Reed, Carl Whal, Harold Fleigner, Dave Cumbe, Pat Finney and more. Charlie had a reputation as a fast driver, I tillered behind him for a few years and felt safe and confident. Charlie and I bought a muffler shop a 79th and Western, 66’s first in. I was teaching Charlie to weld exhaust pipe, he would finish a weld and I would throw it on the floor and it would break. Charlie could be a little impatient and a temper would show now and then. Went to many fires with Charlie and used what I learned as a Auto Fireman. Charlie was a friend and partner. Just like Dinko, Charlie made a difference in my career and life. One of a kind for sure and I will always remember Charlie Raymer.
10 Bears
Pat Shanley mentioned how you always snapped your fingers, Charlie. I remember that too. What a character you were! You always called me “Davey”.
I have a framed picture of my last day at 14’s in 1979. Several of us got together in front of Wagon 14 for a group photo. I keep it on my work bench. Charlie Raymer, Dinko Klarin, Carl Wahl, Bob Munoa, Greg Ikeda, Pat Finney, and I all look so young in that photo. Those were good times.
God Speed Charlie Raymer. Keep ‘em laughing.
I talked on the phone with Charley about a year and a half ago. He had moved back to the river from Idaho to be closer to his daughter and medical attention. He was just as cheery as ever. We talked about a bunch of crazy things we did on and off the job which had included Baumeister, Davis, Dinko, Ray Johnson, Tom Taylor, Merrill Reed, Chuck Kane. Dennis Coville and others. I flew to Catalina with him to get burger. On the way home I asked him if I could try to fly a little bit. He let me get a hold of the wheel. I spotted a boat down on the surface and I pushed the nose down and told him I would be fun to dive down and scare them. His fingers started snapping so fast it sounded like a machine gun going off in the cockpit. I remember on 4th of July we were stripping a roof and could see the fireworks from the Coliseum, and Charley said to me “it just doesn’t get any better than this”. He was right. Old friend, I miss you. RIP
In the later 70’s I was driving T-9. We had a few runs/fires with 14’s. That’s when I met Charlie. We rode together to Weck Teck for a few months. As Charlie talked during the ride his fingers snapped, we had some great conversations. T-14 was a manual shift Truck and we had an automatic at 9’s. For a short while we had a reserve Truck with a manual transmission. Charlie told me how to slow down with the “Hill Holder” while changing gears so you could get out of the intersection faster – it worked. I also learned a few roof tricks from him.
There were some great Firemen out of both 14’s and 9’s and Charlie was one of those that will be greatly missed.