Leading by example: Bunt sons follow in father's public service footsteps

July 23--ROSEWOOD HEIGHTS -- A lot can be said for people who are willing to run inside houses engulfed in flames, dodge gunshots in an on-foot pursuit, investigate a gut-wrenching crime or sometimes just help a neighbor fasten a car seat into place before a family trip to the zoo.

Choosing to serve the public may not be for the faint of heart -- but, for some, it's simply in their blood.

For the Bunt family, that seems to be the case.

Brother Don Bunt Jr., Dan Bunt and Tim Bunt all have decades of service in the Riverbend to their name. Don Jr. served 44 years in law enforcement, including 33 years with the Madison County Sheriff's Office. Dan has been in the law enforcement field for 27 years, the past 18 with the Wood River Police Department. Tim is chief of the Rosewood Heights Fire Protection District, where he's been a firefighter for 37 years.

They come by it honestly. Their father, Don Bunt Sr., recently reached the 50-year mark of service with the Rosewood Heights fire district.

For the soon to be 89-year-old, faithfully serving is something he just always thought he should do for his community. Growing up as a kid behind the fire station, Don Sr. has always been drawn to serve.

He started with the district in July 1967, eventually concluding decades of paid service at Olin Brass factory.

"I was out there in the front yard on the hill working with my flowers, and all of a sudden someone came up and tapped me on the back. I turned around and it was fireman John Ford. He asked, 'Would you like to join the fire department?'" Don Sr. recalled.

He quickly worked his way up to captain, a role in which he served for several years.

Changing times

Much has changed in his 50 years. Don Sr. recounted the days where those in the field couldn't rely on the kind of protective gear most firefighters use as a sort of second skin today.

"You didn't get gear as soon as you joined, because they didn't have any," Don Sr. said, remembering back to his first fire near Hill Top Lane and 9th Street. "When it was winter, you wore your winter clothes."

He explained how training has also greatly improved, preparing the new recruits for the increasingly dangerous situations firefighters face today. Don Sr. said he reported only to house and grass fires back then; there were no medical runs. He even remembers the department once housing a chicken coop.

The department now responds to about 350 calls a year, with 30 volunteers and three paid employees, running with two engines and one rescue truck.

"One of the biggest challenges up here is getting people who are dedicated. Getting people out of bed after they worked all day," said Tim, of the volunteer department.

Equipment and radio and pager communication also has evolved for the better.

One thing though has remained true over the years: The job isn't for everyone. Don Sr. recalled one instance when he arrived at the station to respond to a fire call only to find a man lying on the floor who'd had a heart attack. He tended to the man until paramedics and fellow firefighters arrived back at the station.

"There have been times I thought I was going to quit, but it's just in the blood or something that keeps me wanting to do it as long as I can," said Don Sr.

And through it all, one woman, loving wife and mother Evelyn Marie Bunt, has been by Don Sr.'s side.

"She has always supported me. I don't like to leave her alone, even when we get calls at night," said Don Sr. of his wife of 67 years.

Following in his footsteps

For the three Bunt brothers, finding a home in public service was not as much of a question as it was a predestination.

Growing up about a block away from the fire station, with their parents and three sisters, the brothers became accustomed to the various chatter and tones relayed over police scanners for countless years.

There was one area of his life in which Don Sr. didn't want his boys to follow -- as a factory worker. Don Sr.'s years at Olin convinced him he wanted something different for his sons.

"I always had it in my mind that I didn't want my boys working in a factory," said Don Sr. "So I guess I finally got through to them."

But Tim did end up at Olin, if in name only -- along with joining the Rosewood Heights fire district at 18 years old to work alongside his father, the youngest Bunt boy also works security at Olin Factory.

For Tim, the brothers said there was never a question of where he'd end up.

"I left my third-grade class at Rosewood grade school because I saw Dad go by. I asked my teacher if I could leave class to go to the bathroom. Next thing you know, I was running down the sidewalk going to fire," said Tim.

With wife Joni by his side, Tim has 37 years of experience at the department and said he's not tired yet.

Both brothers Dan and Don Jr. are no strangers to the protect and serve pledge.

Although Dan admits running into a blazing fire wasn't his thing -- as he and eldest brother Don Jr. also served the fire district for a short time -- he didn't shy away from serving community in his own way, through law enforcement.

For nine years, Dan worked in the Roxana Police Department before venturing a little further north to settle in at Wood River's department for the past 18 years. He's moved up the ranks to deputy chief, a title he's held for the past four or so years, leaning on his wife Kathy and five children throughout.

Don Jr. served 44 years of law enforcement, with 33 of those years at Madison County Sheriff's Department -- a career path perhaps spawned from one fond memory growing up.

"I remember we were all loaded in a station wagon with us six kids, and I remember we were going through Bethalto and Dad saw a hit-and-run and he got involved right away. He turned around and stayed there with the offending vehicle until police came," said Don Jr. "I just always remember that and I guess it left an impression on me to get involved."

Don's wife Patricia and two children -- one a lawyer, and one an officer with the East Alton Police Department -- are very much his support system.

Both older brothers served the country by enlisting in the Army, before choosing to serve locally. In that way, too, they followed in the path of their father, who served in the Korean War early on in his life.

Looking forward

To that end, Don Sr. will soon be traveling to Washington, D.C. on the Honor Flight to visit the war memorials in the nation's capital. Don Sr. looks to reconnect with fellow veterans and perhaps celebrate his birthday a day late, as he flies out on Sept. 10.

Before his birthday, Don Sr. will be center of attention during his 50-year celebration Aug. 19. The fire district Don Sr. has faithfully served is throwing the party at Wood River Moose Lodge, welcoming retirees, friends and family, with a guest speaker and other fanfare to round out the festivities.

Don Sr. may not fight fires anymore, but he doesn't let that stop him from serving the district. Now affectionately called "Grandpa" by most of the youngsters in the district, he still serves their as dispatcher and historian.

As though he would have it any other way.

"We don't do it for the fame, or the money," said Tim of his brothers and father, "we do it as a way to give back to the community we live in."

That, too, of course, is a lesson they learned from dad.

Reach reporter Brittany Johnson at 618-208-6460, ext. 1396.

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