Poplar Bluff Fire Department Chief Ralph Stucker has announced his retirement, effective Aug. 1.
Stucker submitted a letter June 8 to the city announcing his intention to retire.
The city is expected to post the open position Wednesday.
Stucker has been with the PBFD since March 1995, and became chief in January 2008 at the age of 43. He’s been a firefighter for more than 30 years.
“It is very tough to make the transition. This has been a tough decision,” said Stucker.
Stucker said he began considering retirement more than a year ago.
“I love this profession. I think it’s the best profession in the world,” he said. “I’ve been absolutely blessed to have been a part of it as long as I have and got to do the things I got to do.
“But everything has to come to an end. I think it’s time for mine to come to an end.”
Stucker said his retirement begins with a plan to relax, recharge and see what opportunities come next.
Stucker took over as chief from Randy Hastings, who retired after 13 years in the position.
Stucker is a second-generation firefighter, who volunteered with the Butler County Fire Department for five years before joining the city department.
Among his goals when he started as chief were ensuring all of the city’s firefighters had achieved firefighter 1- and 2-level training, something the department has accomplished.
“We have to figure out how to meet or exceed the customer’s expectations and our customers are the public,” Stucker said in 2008.