Lohr led department through change, improvements since 2000

Peachtree City Fire Chief Stony Lohr has announced that he will retire as of April 2.

Lohr notified his staff of his intentions in a memo to the entire department. He will also turn 60 in April, he noted.

“It’s time for me to do something else,” Lohr said in an interview this week with The Citizen. “... It’s time to go smell those roses."

Lohr wants to spend more time with his five grandchildren, one of whom lives as far away as Oregon. He also noted that his wife, Dee, will be glad to have some peace and quiet around the house instead of the noise from fire department radios.

“It’ll be nice not to have to get up every morning,” said Lohr, a known workaholic who took over as acting chief in 2000 and was named to the job full-time in January 2001, replacing the city's first-ever career fire chief, Gerald Reed. Lohr joined the department in 1993 as a firefighter/paramedic and was promoted to accreditation manager/fire captain in 1998.

A native of Clarksburg, W.V., Lohr graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in July 1992, the same year he enlisted as a volunteer with the Peachtree City Fire and Rescue Department.

Lohr said indicated he is very proud of the department’s accomplishments, which he chalked up to the efforts of the department’s leadership, officers and members.

“We managed to do a few good things,” Lohr said.

In his memo to staff, Lohr also credited the department’s leadership and staff.

“It has been my privilege to be able to serve with professionals who are so dedicated, technically competent and compassionate,” Lohr said. What is left to be done will probably not be either quick or easy, but with continued persistence and optimism, you can provide continued excellence in serving our community and providing yourselves the safety to return to your families after each tour of duty.”

Lohr said in retirement he also hopes to work more with various organizations he belongs to including the Optimist Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the lodge he belongs to.

“Chief Lohr’s extensive training and experience in fire and emergency medical services have been a tremendous asset to Peachtree City,” said City Manager Bernie McMullen. “... His knowledge has been invaluable in coordinating with other agencies to ensure that Peachtree City continues to provide outstanding fire and emergency medical services as the city has grown, and to help assess and prepare the community for emergencies and disasters.”

The city will host a retirement reception in March to commemorate his service to the community, officials said.