Chicago FD historian and retired senior fire alarm operator Ken Little passed away this week. Ken was well known for his co-authoring of four volumes of the history of Chicago firehouses with Father John McNalis and conducting bus tours highlighting Chicago Fire Department historical events.
Kenneth F. Little retired Senior Fire Alarm Operator for the Chicago Fire Department. Beloved husband of the late Alice nee Bychowski . Loving father of Kenneth, Robert (Kimberlee), Stephen C.F.D (Rhonda), Philip (Lee), Richard, Raymond Mary Ellen (Steve) Cooper, Anna (Ron) Stargardt, Rita (Rich) Carlson, and the late Thomas. Proud grandfather of Timothy, Christine, Kevin , and Jenna. Dear brother of the late Robert. Fond uncle of many nieces and nephews. Visitation Monday, December 11 from 3 pm to 9 pm at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W Lawrence Ave, Norridge. Friends and Family are asked to meet Tuesday at 10:15 am at St Michael Church 1633 N Cleveland Ave Chicago for 10:30 am mass of Christian Burial. Interment will take place privately Wednesday at All Saints Cemetery. Ken was a longtime teacher of Chicago History at Wright Jr. College. In lieu of flowers donations to the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago, 517 Senon Dr. Lemont, Illinois 60439 – 4093 would be appreciated Info (708) 456-8300 or www. Cumberlandchapels.com
Excerpts from chicagolocal.cbs.com:
The Chicago Fire Department’s historian — retired Senior Fire Alarm Operator Kenneth Little — has died at the age of 84.
Fire Department Chaplain Father John McNalis says phone conversations with Ken Little would often start with a question from Little:
“‘Do you have a minute?’
“And if you said yes, the next time you looked at the clock, it could be anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes later. And he just talked, and you’d go, ‘I can’t remember what we started with.’”
Father McNalis worked with Ken Little to produce four volumes of the history of Chicago firehouses. The job took 16 years.
“He never forgot anything. He knew all of the details and could rattle off names and times and companies that responded, where he was when the call came in.”
McNalis says Little grew up in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood. His funeral Mass will be at St. Michael’s.
From chicagofd.org:
Video of Ken at work at the old Main Fire Alarm Office at beginning of this video for the first 16 seconds
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#1 by John Antkowski on December 11, 2017 - 11:48 AM
Yes Ken Little will be missed. I was a huge fan of his fire tours. The great Chicago fire tour was his best. I have the four volumes of the history of Chicago firehouses. I fell in love with the department that I stood in line for an application for the 1995 exam. I finally got my job in 2005 with Milwaukee. I still wish I could have made it on Chicago. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Rest In Peace. John Antkowski.
#2 by Bill Post on December 10, 2017 - 4:54 PM
Ken Little was a one-of-a-kind resource for both the Chicago Fire Department and City of Chicago historians. It is not an exaggeration to say that he was the Dean of Chicago Fire Department historians and he literally wrote the book on the History of the Chicago Fire Department which included the four volume History of Chicago Fire Houses, Chicago Fire Department Hook and Ladder Tractors 1914-1971, and Chicago Fire Department Engines 1912 to 1972. It can be accurately said that there was not one Chicago fire fan or history buff that wasn’t influenced by the vast knowledge that he imparted upon them. He also influenced hundreds of Chicago firefighters on a daily basis through his unmistakable voice over the loudspeakers and the CFD radios as he dispatched them.
Who knows how many people’s live’s he had a part in saving, most of whom never met him. His was the first voice many heard when they dialed the Chicago Fire Department.
Ken Little was a noted Chicago historian who was a regular guest on the old Eddie Schwartz radio show when Eddie hosted Chicago Trivia evenings on the air. Ken for a fact aided the Rogers Park and West Ridge Historical Society with his knowledge in their early years.
3-3-5, Kenneth F Little, Senior Fire Alarm Operator (retired) and Dean of Chicago Fire Department historians has returned to quarters.
#3 by David on December 10, 2017 - 9:45 AM
Very sad news, I’ve got all the 4 volumes of the CFD Firehouse history books he made with father McNalis, excellent reading with tons of details I’ve never seen anywhere else. There probably aren’t many people with the level of knowledge that this guy had and who would be able to put something like these books together again. This is a great loss for all the CFD history buffs out there.
Rest in peace.