West Dundee fire lieutenant remembered for dedication

West Dundee Fire Lt. Thomas Lutzow was such a dedicated firefighter and paramedic that he would not leave the village to go out for dinner just in case someone needed his help.

But relatives and colleagues of the longtime firefighter say his true calling was as an educator who loved teaching local children about fire prevention and safety.

West Dundee Fire Chief Frank Buhrmann said that on Lutzow's last day on duty, he guided two groups of children around the fire station as part of a park district program.

"His main areas of expertise were inspections and public relations, absolutely," Buhrmann said. "But he excelled in educating the children. That's what he loved to do."

Lutzow died Saturday at age 53 from a massive heart attack with no warning.

The father of three will be buried Friday, on what would have been his 33rd wedding anniversary.

"We were married when we were 20 and didn't have a thought process in our minds." his wife, Carol Lutzow said. "Tom made so much of himself. He was always looking to serve and learn more, educate more. He was selfless."

The marquee in front of the West Dundee village hall calls Lutzow "a devoted public servant" and the flags in the village are flying at half staff. Carol Lutzow said the memorial captures exactly who her husband was.

"We had to eat dinner in town in case someone needed him," Carol said. "He would say, 'Well, you have to get out of Dodge sometime,' and we might venture to Algonquin."

A lifelong resident of the Dundee area, Lutzow was just shy of his 20th anniversary as a full-time firefighter. He was first hired on call in 1987, before moving to full time in 1990. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2002.

Lutzow is survived by his wife, three children and four grandchildren.

He graduated from Dundee Community High School in 1974 and served as a volunteer firefighter in East Dundee before moving to West Dundee.

A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 845 W. Main St., West Dundee. The Rev. Msgr. Timothy Doherty will officiate. Burial will follow in the Dundee Township East Cemetery, East Dundee. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Miller Funeral Home, 504 W. Main St., West Dundee, and from 9 a.m. until the time of Mass on Friday at the church.