Battalion Chief – Battalion 12
Deceased:
01/15/2021
Appointed:
12/17/1951
Pensioned:
06/28/1990 – BATT12
Details about the Celebration of Life
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
What an amazing man Gene was! I first met him at Drill Tower 89 in 1966 as a new recruit and he was one of the 24 hour Training Captains. As a Capt. I and Capt. II I worked for him in Battalion 12 at F.S. 98 and loved every minute of it. His competence as a fire officer was unquestionable and his good humor, quick wit and awesome smile made him a pleasure to be around. They don’t make many like Gene Brewster . . . Rest in peace my friend.
Alan Schroeder
Chief Brewster was my chief at 98’s (batt 12) when I was a rookie. Very sharp and very funny person. He made my probation interesting. My condolences to his family. He will be missed. RIP
Gene T. Brewster – One of the good ones! Will never be duplicated. I was a family friend and grew up with the Brewster family. He was instrumental in helping me get on the Fire Dept, and in my promotions. He was a leader of men with and an asset the the Fire Dept and his family. I tired always to emulate his style as a supervisor. He and Doris loved the outdoors and spent many vacations at Bass Lake, Mammoth, traveling, dancing and having a good time wherever they went. You just wanted to around them both. They are now up there in Heaven kicking up their heels and reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. When he got to the pearly gates he was asked for the password and he said – “Marvelous”!
Bruce Galien – LAFD Retired
I REMEMBER GENE WELL ONE GREAT CAPT. I WAS A ROOKIE AT 75’S. MY 2ND HOUSE
CAPT ALWAYS KEEP TELLING …STUDY STUDY..HE TAUGHT ME THE BASICS AND KEPT
ME CLOSE AT FIRES..THEN ON THANKSGIVEN ’62. WE REPONDED TO THE BRUSH FIRE
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VALLEY. STANDARD PAINT BRUSH STORAGE BUILDING
IT WAS 4TH OF JULY FIRE WORKS SHOW..THINNER PAINTS AND PROPANE CYL.
LATE NITE RETURN TO 75’S TO EAT BURNT TURKEY DINNER ..I LOVED FIREFIGHTING.
THANKS FOR KNOWING THE BEST OF THE BEST
Gene Brewster was a Drill Tower Captain in February of 1968. Demanding but congenial. It was a true honor for the members of the 2-10-68 Classs’s fifty-year reunion that Chief Brewster shared the evening with us.
Yes, I too, was there for our 50th reunion and was so glad that Chief Brewster made the effort to share that special evening with us. He was a ‘classy’ class act! He made it all look easy and he had fun with it all. When Hugh Tucker made captain and sent in his request for his business cards it went by Brewster’s desk. Gene made sure the request was properly filled out! When Hugh opened his new box of 100 cards he read; “Huge T Mucker” Captain I, LAFD.
Gene Brewster – One of a Kind!
Gene it was an honor to have known you. You were always a gentleman
RIP Gene! You made my many years working in Batt. 12 very enjoyable.
In ond memory of Gene T. Brewseter.
Along time mentor & friend of my husband Jerry M McHale & myself. Gene was Jerry’s drill instructor in 1965. Jerry worked under Gene at several stations in Jerry’s career.. We spent many happy times with golf, skiing fishing & travelling. RIP my friend.
RIIP Gene. Jeannie McHale
It was an honor and privilege to have known Gene Brewster. The first “People Person” I can remember meeting on the job. He had a positive impact on the job and those who had an opportunity to work with or around him. Gene was liked and respected by all, a great family man and someone whose legacy won’t fade. My condolences to the Brewster family.
Gene Brewster was my Station Commander at Fire Station 60 in North Hollywood during my “formative” years as a young Fireman during the Sixties. He was a splendid Officer and he encouraged me to study and seek promotions, which I did. This provided me the pleasure of us working together again as Battalion Chiefs in Battalion 12, some years later. I retired in 1988, two years before Gene.
Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
May he R.I.P.
Richard William (“Dick”) Baker
Gene was a true leader. I worked with Gene at old 28’s in the late 50’s, I was in awe of the way he could navigate the fire ground and always be in the right place at the right time. I learned a lot from him.
R.I.P. Paul Fulton
Chief Brewster, it was captain back in September of 1969 when you were our House Mother at Drill tower 89. You did a great job of getting us through the drill tower. You always encouraged us to do our best. Thank you. Rest in peace.
Duane Warth, LAFD, ret.
Chief Brewster was my first Chief on the job at 98’s my 3rd house where he kept me there well after probation,He Treated me Well and he was a good man.Rest In Heaven Sir.
Chief Brewster was a good friend of my dad, Bill Kearns. I grew up meeting Chief Brewster on many occasions, and then had the honor of driving him as an Aide one day in Batt. 12. What an absolute gentleman and class act he was. My condolences to all the Brewster’s.
RIP Chief
A Great man with a big heart. I had the privilege to drive Gene for several years in Battalion 12. He was a true gentleman and helped me personally through some of the toughest times of my life. He loved what he did and was a real jokester who loved to have fun on the job. He treated everyone with respect and cared about those he worked with. Rest In Peace Gene and thank you for all you did for me and my family and those you served for so many years. Heaven has received a great man.
Unlike most that have posted here I never was assigned with Chief Brewster. I was at incidents that he was the IC but no long term exposure to to him. I had one 24 hour shift as a Chiefs Driver Aide in Battalion 10 with Chief Brewster. I drove Chief Don Dahlstien (another great gentilemen) and Chief Brewster was working SOD. How do you measure the impact that a leader can have on someone in 24 hours that can be recalled over 30 years later. I have vivid memories of our conversation that day which I tried to use in my career to be a better firefighter and leader.. Well done sir.
Gene was my drill master in the tower in the 69-1 class. A real pleasure to be around. Over the years ran into him a lot (I was in the Valley Arson Unit) and he was the same cordial and competent individual. Always had a smile and a personal concern for how I was doing. A true “gentleman” and good friend. A one of a kind person. He made a lasting impression on all who knew him. He will truly be missed.. Prayers to your family. Rest in Peace Gene.
Gene Brewster was in his own favorite term , a “Lovely” man. I worked with him, Tony Pasqualone, and Eddie “V” at 98’s for a while in the mid 1980’s. What a pleasant gentleman to work with. I remember Doris Ann bringing him McDonalds breakfast many mornings which they would enjoy in his office together. They were such a nice and dedicated couple. I’m surprised that no one has mentioned his love of USC. I have one special memory of him at an incident standing at the open door of the chiefs sedan, dressed in his turnout coat, helmet and his USC exercise shorts. I don’t think he would mind me telling that story. He was a ‘Peach”.
Gene washy first Battalion Chief whenI came out of the Drill Tower in 1975. After probation He asked me to take an assignment at FS 24 and promised to make sure I didn’t stay there very long. Gene kept his promise and support me at every turn in my career. After 5 years in Batt. 12, with his recommendation I transferred to the Arson Section and finished my career there. He was truly a person that cared for all of the people that work with him. RIP Sir
When I was at 77s, John Rust was my Captain and Gene was our Chief. Do I need to say anything more? Chief Brewster was the best Chief I ever worked for. He was fun to be around but always very professional. At a Battalion Brush Drill Critique, Chief Brewster said there was one mistake made, and we each hoped it wasn’t our Company! Gene explained he should have done something a little faster. Although a very minor point, Chief took responsibility and always supported his Troops! Gene was an Officer that everyone respected, liked, and just wanted to be around. Condolences to the Brewster Family, for Chief Gene Brewster will be greatly missed by many. Rest in Peace, Chief!
What words could I use to properly represent this man? There are not enough positive words to fully describe the impact and exemplary character of this man named Gene Brewster. He was my station commander at my third house on probation. A stroke of luck that would guide my fate throughout my career on the LAFD. I would return to work for him many times in my career. He always had time to teach and guide me. He was the single individual on the LAFD, who had the most to do with any success I experienced in my career. I tried to learn all I could from listening to his instruction and watching his example. Even though I knew it would take a very rare individual to match his abilities as a fireman or a human being. He was a great leader who had the ability to make everyone around him better. firemen & better people. And he would always do it with patience and a positive attitude. A tenure gentleman. He had the ability to take the worst situations, find the smallest positive aspect, then build on that to achieve positive effective results. He was a spectacular, man, father, leader, firefighter & friend. RIP my friend… you will be missed.