Lyle E. Eckhart
Grandpa, as Lyle E. Eckhart was known throughout Kansas EMS, was responsible for much of the EMS system today. Lyle’s first contact with emergency care was operating a funeral home based ambulance service.
In 1974, he attended the first Instructor/Coordinator class sponsored by the Emergency Medical Training Program at the KU Medical Center. He became an MICT in 1975, at 49 the oldest student in a class of 12. He served as the first Regional EMS Coordinator in 1976 and 1977 and was appointed Director of the Bureau of EMS, under the Department of Health and Environment, in October of 1977.
Lyle implemented many improvements in the late 1970s that resulted in Kansas becoming an EMS leader - statutes and regulations requiring all ambulance services to be licensed and provide care 24 hours a day and a minimum equipment list for ambulances are examples.
Lyle assumed the responsibility of administering the state EMT examination in late 1982, creating a consistent evaluation of expected written and practical knowledge.
In 1983, in a move to keep the Bureau of EMS from being reduced in staff and authority, Lyle initiated legislation that moved the agency to the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Lyle was a leader in the 1987 interim study on Government Affairs that studied the consolidation of the Emergency Medical Training Program at the KU Medical Center and the Bureau of EMS into one agency. On April 14, 1988, legislation was signed into law that created a free-standing Board of Emergency Medical Services and Lyle became the first Administrator.Lyle retired in 1988 and maintained his MICT and I/C certifications for several years. His death in 1996 closed a chapter in Kansas EMS that will never be matched.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2000
In 1974, he attended the first Instructor/Coordinator class sponsored by the Emergency Medical Training Program at the KU Medical Center. He became an MICT in 1975, at 49 the oldest student in a class of 12. He served as the first Regional EMS Coordinator in 1976 and 1977 and was appointed Director of the Bureau of EMS, under the Department of Health and Environment, in October of 1977.
Lyle implemented many improvements in the late 1970s that resulted in Kansas becoming an EMS leader - statutes and regulations requiring all ambulance services to be licensed and provide care 24 hours a day and a minimum equipment list for ambulances are examples.
Lyle assumed the responsibility of administering the state EMT examination in late 1982, creating a consistent evaluation of expected written and practical knowledge.
In 1983, in a move to keep the Bureau of EMS from being reduced in staff and authority, Lyle initiated legislation that moved the agency to the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Lyle was a leader in the 1987 interim study on Government Affairs that studied the consolidation of the Emergency Medical Training Program at the KU Medical Center and the Bureau of EMS into one agency. On April 14, 1988, legislation was signed into law that created a free-standing Board of Emergency Medical Services and Lyle became the first Administrator.Lyle retired in 1988 and maintained his MICT and I/C certifications for several years. His death in 1996 closed a chapter in Kansas EMS that will never be matched.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2000
Galen Gentry
Galen Gentry became an EMT in 1980, climbing the certification ladder through EMT-I, EMT-D and realized his long time goal by becoming an MICT in 1998. He helped found the Wabaunsee County Ambulance Service in 1983 and was the Director until his death.
Galen was active in local, region and state activities, serving with the Flint Hills Critical Incident Stress Management Team and as a Director of Region IV.
On April 4, 1999, Galen was finishing an ambulance transport when he experienced chest pain, was admitted to the hospital and passed away.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2000
Galen was active in local, region and state activities, serving with the Flint Hills Critical Incident Stress Management Team and as a Director of Region IV.
On April 4, 1999, Galen was finishing an ambulance transport when he experienced chest pain, was admitted to the hospital and passed away.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2000
Luther Keith
Luther Keith, in 1973, at the age of 56, was a founding member of the Greeley County Ambulance Service which consisted of a First Aid course and the Doctor’s station wagon. When it became available, Luther took the EMT course. From that point on, he was active in meetings, recertification courses, transfers, emergency runs and courtesy runs, endowing each activity with his smile, calm demeanor and wealth of knowledge.
In 1989, because he felt his eyesight wasn’t keen enough, Luther quit driving the ambulance but his patient care just seemed to improve.
Luther was the oldest active EMT in the State of Kansas when he passed away in 1999 at the age of 82. On the day he died, Luther was still actively giving of himself to his community.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2000
In 1989, because he felt his eyesight wasn’t keen enough, Luther quit driving the ambulance but his patient care just seemed to improve.
Luther was the oldest active EMT in the State of Kansas when he passed away in 1999 at the age of 82. On the day he died, Luther was still actively giving of himself to his community.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2000
Marilyn Crowley
Marilyn Crowley deserves the endearment of EMS Grandma, not because of her age, but because of the years of guidance she gave Kansas EMS. She was instructing MICTs at the first Southwestern College of Winfield MICT Program before she, at the suggestion of Dr. Norman Mc Swain, challenged the exam and became an MICT in 1976. She put her indelible mark on hundreds of students through the years.
Marilyn was the Director and Instructor/Coordinator of Emergency Medical Training (MICT) at Southwestern College and Clinical Instructor and Supervisor of MICT at William Newton Hospital, Wesley Medical Center and St Francis Medical Center for over eight years. She was an MICT Instructor/Coordinator at the University of Kansas , taught an Emergency Nursing Course for Kansas Region III EMS and was the Coordinator of Fire/Medical Rescue for the Wichita Fire Department. While with the Wichita Fire Department, she developed a comprehensive rescue team to include water, high angle, and trench rescue and vehicle extrication.
Marilyn was an EMS examiner for the Kansas University Emergency Medical Training, the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and the Board of Emergency Medical Services.
In 1981, she developed and authored the “Model Emergency Medical Services Protocols for the State of Kansas” and these served as teaching standards in Kansas for many years.
Marilyn retired as an MICT in 1990 but continues her medical career as an RN.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2001
Marilyn was the Director and Instructor/Coordinator of Emergency Medical Training (MICT) at Southwestern College and Clinical Instructor and Supervisor of MICT at William Newton Hospital, Wesley Medical Center and St Francis Medical Center for over eight years. She was an MICT Instructor/Coordinator at the University of Kansas , taught an Emergency Nursing Course for Kansas Region III EMS and was the Coordinator of Fire/Medical Rescue for the Wichita Fire Department. While with the Wichita Fire Department, she developed a comprehensive rescue team to include water, high angle, and trench rescue and vehicle extrication.
Marilyn was an EMS examiner for the Kansas University Emergency Medical Training, the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and the Board of Emergency Medical Services.
In 1981, she developed and authored the “Model Emergency Medical Services Protocols for the State of Kansas” and these served as teaching standards in Kansas for many years.
Marilyn retired as an MICT in 1990 but continues her medical career as an RN.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2001
Phyllis Vanhoose
Phyllis Vanhoose became an EMT in 1979 and worked for a year for the Ellis County Ambulance Service after being certified. She became the Director of the Plainville Ambulance Service on June 11, 1982 and served in that position until her death on April 14, 1994.
Phyllis did the standard EMS things - she was a Training Officer, co-ordinated the Rooks County Emergency Preparedness Program, co-ordinated the Mass Disaster Training Drills for Rooks County, taught many classes in CPR, was a Medic First Aid instructor.
The above are all cold facts but they don’t capture the essence that was Phyllis. She set extremely high standards for herself and her service, she was a bold, charismatic lady and had a wacky, delightful sense of humor. She put the service before her family with the full support of her husband and children.
Even though she was diagnosed with terminal cancer in December of 1993, she continued to tutor, scold and encourage her employees. Her favorite phrase, “There is a right way, a wrong way and Phyllis’s way”, continues to be a remembered in Plainville.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2001
Phyllis did the standard EMS things - she was a Training Officer, co-ordinated the Rooks County Emergency Preparedness Program, co-ordinated the Mass Disaster Training Drills for Rooks County, taught many classes in CPR, was a Medic First Aid instructor.
The above are all cold facts but they don’t capture the essence that was Phyllis. She set extremely high standards for herself and her service, she was a bold, charismatic lady and had a wacky, delightful sense of humor. She put the service before her family with the full support of her husband and children.
Even though she was diagnosed with terminal cancer in December of 1993, she continued to tutor, scold and encourage her employees. Her favorite phrase, “There is a right way, a wrong way and Phyllis’s way”, continues to be a remembered in Plainville.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2001
Jim Werries
Jim Werries is rightfully considered an EMS legend. Jim became an EMICT in 1973 before there was any formal Paramedic curriculum. He was “grand fathered” as one of the first EMICTs in Kansas after the certification was statutorily recognized. Interestingly enough, he became an EMT in 1974. He was the President of the Kansas Ambulance and Rescue Association in 1974 and was instrumental in the name change to the Kansas Emergency Medical Technicians Association, becoming the first Executive Director. Jim was very active in pre-hospital care before certification was recognized in Kansas. His career started in 1966 as an ambulance attendant with the former Metropolitan Ambulance Service in Wichita and was promoted to manager of the company’s Newton branch in 1967. He became Newton’s first Ambulance Department Chief in 1970.
In 1973, working with a physician in Newton, he designed a method of defibrillating patients out of the hospital and was one of two of the first ambulance attendants to defibrillate heart attack victims in the field.
Jim retired on December 31, 1996 after 30 years in EMS. Although no longer active in patient care, he still remembers the early days and his successful efforts to bring Kansas EMS into the 21st century.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2001
In 1973, working with a physician in Newton, he designed a method of defibrillating patients out of the hospital and was one of two of the first ambulance attendants to defibrillate heart attack victims in the field.
Jim retired on December 31, 1996 after 30 years in EMS. Although no longer active in patient care, he still remembers the early days and his successful efforts to bring Kansas EMS into the 21st century.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2001
Joseph R. Cobb
Joseph R. Cobb became the Director of Crawford County Emergency Medical Services after the separation of the Sheriff's Department and EMS. Joe was the Undersheriff at the time and was appointed Director of EMS on January 21, 1981. He was the key force in guiding the ambulance attendants into upgrading their skills from CPR and First Aid to Emergency Medical Technicians. Joe displayed excellent leadership qualities and provided a fine example for his employees. He attended over 1,800 hours of school, participated in emergency room in-service training, and became the first paramedic to be employed by Crawford County EMS. He obtain his MICT certification in November of 1985.
During his reign as CCEMS Director, he was instrumental in educating the citizens of Crawford County. He conducted numerous training classes for businesses, law enforcement, medical personnel, and others to become certified in CPR and First Aid.
Joe became an Instructor/Coordinator in April of 1985. He was a dedicated instructor, providing whatever hours it took to train his students not only to pass the state exams, but also to be excellent patient care givers.
On June 21, 1988, Crawford County 2000 (Joe Cobb) went 10-8 to assist the ambulance crews with a car-train accident involving six people, not knowing that this would be his final call. Upon arrival at the hospital, he continued performing CPR on a child until he suffered his own fatal heart attack at the age of 48. Joe dedicated his life to saving lives.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2002
During his reign as CCEMS Director, he was instrumental in educating the citizens of Crawford County. He conducted numerous training classes for businesses, law enforcement, medical personnel, and others to become certified in CPR and First Aid.
Joe became an Instructor/Coordinator in April of 1985. He was a dedicated instructor, providing whatever hours it took to train his students not only to pass the state exams, but also to be excellent patient care givers.
On June 21, 1988, Crawford County 2000 (Joe Cobb) went 10-8 to assist the ambulance crews with a car-train accident involving six people, not knowing that this would be his final call. Upon arrival at the hospital, he continued performing CPR on a child until he suffered his own fatal heart attack at the age of 48. Joe dedicated his life to saving lives.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2002
Loy Eary
Loy Eary came to Kansas in 1964 as a member of the United States Air Force stationed at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas. He served 20 years in the service, retiring in 1973 and then worked at McConnell until his retirement in 1994. Loy became interested in EMS in 1981 when Butler County EMS offered an ambulance to a group of people in Rose Hill if they would become EMTs. Loy took the class and became certified in 1982. The ambulance that had been offered was not in good enough shape to repair so the members of Loy’s class were issued jump kits and pagers and functioned as first responders until a responding ambulance could arrive.
Loy functioned as the first Director of Butler County EMS, Rose Hill Station, serving through 1986. Their first ambulance was purchased by the City Council after Loy’s group had asked for a loan to purchase one. The money that the group had raised for a new ambulance was used to build a garage to house the ambulance, a feat accomplished in three weeks at no cost to any government entity.
Loy became an Instructor/Coordinator in 1982 and a Kansas State Examiner in 1987. In 1990, Loy became an EMT-I.
In 1991, Loy started having some coronary problems and decided to quit taking ambulance calls, but continued to educate and examine until 1994.
In reviewing his EMS career, Loy said that even though it was a lot of hard work, with commitment to training sessions, seminars, workshops, test sites, taking calls and having fund raisers, he remember a lot of fun times, plus a lot of rewards in seeing the progress that was being made. Loy said, “If I would change any thing, the only change I would make is to have been involved much earlier”.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2002
Loy functioned as the first Director of Butler County EMS, Rose Hill Station, serving through 1986. Their first ambulance was purchased by the City Council after Loy’s group had asked for a loan to purchase one. The money that the group had raised for a new ambulance was used to build a garage to house the ambulance, a feat accomplished in three weeks at no cost to any government entity.
Loy became an Instructor/Coordinator in 1982 and a Kansas State Examiner in 1987. In 1990, Loy became an EMT-I.
In 1991, Loy started having some coronary problems and decided to quit taking ambulance calls, but continued to educate and examine until 1994.
In reviewing his EMS career, Loy said that even though it was a lot of hard work, with commitment to training sessions, seminars, workshops, test sites, taking calls and having fund raisers, he remember a lot of fun times, plus a lot of rewards in seeing the progress that was being made. Loy said, “If I would change any thing, the only change I would make is to have been involved much earlier”.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2002
Dale Creed
Dale Creed started his EMS career in 1973 as an Emergency Department Technician and Ambulance Attendant at Memorial Hospital in Mc Pherson. He moved to the Riley County Ambulance Service in Manhattan, becoming an EMT in 1974. At the same time, he was an Emergency Technician and Surgical Technician at Memorial Hospital in Manhattan. He went to the Douglas County Ambulance Service in Lawrence in 1976, becoming an EMICT in 1980. Dale left EMS in 1986 to become the Coordinator of Emergency Preparedness for Douglas County, leaving that position in 1991 to go into business for himself. During his EMS career, Dale let an indelible mark on both KEMTA and Kansas EMS. He was a member of the formative group that started KARA, the precursor of KEMTA, serving in several capacities in KARA/KEMTA, culminating in his term as President of KEMTA in 1986 and 1987.
Dale brought his expertise and influence to the entire range of EMS struggles as it found a it's way in Kansas.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2003
Dale brought his expertise and influence to the entire range of EMS struggles as it found a it's way in Kansas.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2003
Randy L. Reinecker
Randy L. Reinecker began his EMS career in 1975, working for Sedgwick County EMS, becoming the training instructor for Sedgwick County and Wichita State University. He moved to the Mc Pherson Memorial Hospital in 1976, soon becoming the Director of Mc Pherson EMS. Throughout his fourteen years at Mc Pherson EMS, Randy touched many lives providing care to the sick and injured of Mc Pherson County. Randy's influence extended past the borders of Mc Pherson County, both as a member of many regional and state organizations and as a spokesperson for better pre-hospital care.
In 1990, Randy left EMS to become the Director of the Office Emergency Management and Communications. His energies were apparent in this position, pioneering the current concepts of 911 response in Mc Pherson County as well as disaster preparedness training and public education.
Randy didn't give up his calling to help those in need when he retired from EMS, becoming involved in his church and the Parish Ministry Association.
Randy lost a long fight with diabetes on January 11, 2003. He left a legacy of caring that will be remembered.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2003
In 1990, Randy left EMS to become the Director of the Office Emergency Management and Communications. His energies were apparent in this position, pioneering the current concepts of 911 response in Mc Pherson County as well as disaster preparedness training and public education.
Randy didn't give up his calling to help those in need when he retired from EMS, becoming involved in his church and the Parish Ministry Association.
Randy lost a long fight with diabetes on January 11, 2003. He left a legacy of caring that will be remembered.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2003
Lary Joy
Larry Joy was one of the original pioneers in the development and implementation of modern day EMS in Kansas. He was the first service director and system developer of Reno County Ambulance Service, credited as being one of the first two ALS services in Kansas. Larry was also the first director of Johnson County Med-Act and while there, developed a tiered response system in Johnson County that afforded coordinated medical control and quality assurance on a system-wide basis.
Larry was a driving force in aiding the Bureau of EMS in developing standards for ambulance services and was intimately involved in the development of the Kansas Ambulance and Rescue Association, the forerunner of the Kansas Emergency Medical Technicians Association.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2004
Larry was a driving force in aiding the Bureau of EMS in developing standards for ambulance services and was intimately involved in the development of the Kansas Ambulance and Rescue Association, the forerunner of the Kansas Emergency Medical Technicians Association.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2004
Carl "Andy"Anderson
Retiring from the Marines, Carl “Andy” Anderson, moved to Oberlin in 1972 and became involved, as the assistant director, in the formation of Decatur County EMS. Andy became director in 1974 and, with the help of Lyle Eckhart, worked, pushed, prodded and inspired until his goal, the best volunteer service in the area, was met. Andy traveled all over Kansas and other states, looking for ideas and incorporating the best into what he thought an ambulance service should be, both for the community and for the attendants.
Andy wasn’t just the Service Director. He was also a teacher, handling all the education needs of the service, he was a friend, someone you could talk to about EMS or personal problems, and he was a co-worker, right there with you in patient care.
Andy lost a battle with cancer in March of 1985. His impact on Decatur County EMS and Kansas EMS will never be forgotten.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2005
Andy wasn’t just the Service Director. He was also a teacher, handling all the education needs of the service, he was a friend, someone you could talk to about EMS or personal problems, and he was a co-worker, right there with you in patient care.
Andy lost a battle with cancer in March of 1985. His impact on Decatur County EMS and Kansas EMS will never be forgotten.
Inducted in the KS EMS Hall of Fame in 2005
Robert Dean Orth
It is with great sadness that I write of the passing of our friend Robert Orth. Bob passed away on June 18, 2005 at St. Catherine's Hospital in Garden City, Kansas.
Bob started his EMS career in 1978. EMS in Sublette was just getting organized. At that time if you needed an ambulance, you called the Drug Store and the Pharmacist got whoever was sitting in a booth drinking a coke to go help him Bob stopped in regularly for a coke, so he was recruited. He also spent time with our local physician at the hospital, always eager to help out and use the opportunity to learn. Bob then attended class to become an instructor and taught his first class in 1980. He was excited about EMS and always eager to share what he knew. He was full of encouragement for students and new techs. When we asked him why he put so much time and effort into EMS, he told us " Because sometimes you get to make a difference." Many people across the state have had him for an instructor at some level. I remember he would sometimes go up to Phillipsburg and do Medic First Aid classes for Jane. When asked about it he would respond that she needed someone to teach the classes and he really didn't mind. He was always willing to go the extra mile to help anyone in his EMS family. David Lake could call and need support at a committee meeting in Topeka, and Bob would be there.
Bob has served on many committees and Task forces for the Kansas EMS. I have been very spoiled. If I needed to know anything about EMS I could just call Bob and he knew the answer, I didn't have to go look it up. I think he probably had forgotten more about EMS than I will ever know. He always just took care of things. Reports, paper work, mailing labels for KEMTA, schedules all seem to have just appeared, all completed and ready to use. I don't think our service, community, or organizations fully knew what he just did behind the scene. It really bothered him the last few years that he couldn't do things as well as before. He enjoyed so much those he visited with outside at the dance at KEMTA this year. It took so much effort for him to just be there.
I believe we should not think of the bad times, the times we disagreed, just the good times we shared. I will always remember his laugh, encouragement, wit, and the way he touched us some way in the heart. May we also live our lives knowing that sometimes we too can make a difference in someone's life.
Inducted into the Kansas EMS Hall of Fame in 2006
Bob started his EMS career in 1978. EMS in Sublette was just getting organized. At that time if you needed an ambulance, you called the Drug Store and the Pharmacist got whoever was sitting in a booth drinking a coke to go help him Bob stopped in regularly for a coke, so he was recruited. He also spent time with our local physician at the hospital, always eager to help out and use the opportunity to learn. Bob then attended class to become an instructor and taught his first class in 1980. He was excited about EMS and always eager to share what he knew. He was full of encouragement for students and new techs. When we asked him why he put so much time and effort into EMS, he told us " Because sometimes you get to make a difference." Many people across the state have had him for an instructor at some level. I remember he would sometimes go up to Phillipsburg and do Medic First Aid classes for Jane. When asked about it he would respond that she needed someone to teach the classes and he really didn't mind. He was always willing to go the extra mile to help anyone in his EMS family. David Lake could call and need support at a committee meeting in Topeka, and Bob would be there.
Bob has served on many committees and Task forces for the Kansas EMS. I have been very spoiled. If I needed to know anything about EMS I could just call Bob and he knew the answer, I didn't have to go look it up. I think he probably had forgotten more about EMS than I will ever know. He always just took care of things. Reports, paper work, mailing labels for KEMTA, schedules all seem to have just appeared, all completed and ready to use. I don't think our service, community, or organizations fully knew what he just did behind the scene. It really bothered him the last few years that he couldn't do things as well as before. He enjoyed so much those he visited with outside at the dance at KEMTA this year. It took so much effort for him to just be there.
I believe we should not think of the bad times, the times we disagreed, just the good times we shared. I will always remember his laugh, encouragement, wit, and the way he touched us some way in the heart. May we also live our lives knowing that sometimes we too can make a difference in someone's life.
Inducted into the Kansas EMS Hall of Fame in 2006