Excerpts from Journal-topics.com: For nearly 50 years, Ralph R. Bishop has shared stories about his hometown of Park Ridge with members of the Park Ridge Historical Society, and one of his favorite topics was his childhood adventures with the Lil’ Pirsch fire truck, a pumper purchased by the city in 1921. Ralph E. Bishop, his father, was the fire chief when the city first acquired the pumper, which was built by Nash. The original chassis is now celebrating its 100th anniversary, but by 1932, the department realized it needed an overhaul. They replaced the hard tires and wooden spokes on the wheels and doubled the water tank capacity—from 250 to 500 gallons. This renovation, done by Peter Pirsch & Sons of Kenosha, WI, gave the truck a new name: the Lil’ Pirsch—and a new official age based on the 1932 parts. Growing up in a family deeply involved in the fire department, Ralph and his brother Emmett learned how to care for the truck, drive it, and even repair it during times when gas stations were scarce. Ralph also repaired Model T Fords, showing his mechanical skills early on. Eventually, the Lil’ Pirsch was retired from active service and sold to the Drake Funeral Home. It continued to appear in local parades, and Ralph was often invited to drive it. However, the truck eventually made its way to Memphis, TN, where it was later acquired by the Memphis Fire Department and placed on display in their museum. Park Ridge Historical Society photo The Park Ridge Historical Society wanted to bring the truck back home. For eight years, archivist Brian Lazzaro and Ralph worked together to prove that the truck in Memphis was indeed the same one from Park Ridge. Ralph had kept old paperwork, including part numbers and photos, to support the claim. After much effort, they successfully convinced Memphis to sell the pumper back to the Historical Society. The purchase price was $20,000, with an estimated $5,000 to $10,000 needed for restoration before it could run again. Lazzaro and his son drove down last year to retrieve the truck, bringing it back to Illinois on a flatbed. Their first stop after returning was Des Plaines, where Ralph and his wife Ramona had recently moved from Park Ridge. Ralph came out with a walker, wearing a mask and a big smile. The Lil’ Pirsch arrived with a Park Ridge flag pinned on its side—making it a special gift for his 93rd birthday. The Bishops donated a wealth of memorabilia to the historical society and the fire department archive, including a detailed diary from the pumper’s first year in service. During the summer of 2020, strict health regulations due to the pandemic limited public events and access to the Park Ridge History Center. Despite these challenges, the Historical Society managed to raise around $10,000 online through donations from members, friends, and local businesses at www.parkridgefiretruck.com. Donations can also be sent by mail to: 721 N. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068. Memorials can be listed, and more help is still needed to complete the restoration and preserve this piece of local history. Flexible Die,Rotary Die Cut,Die Cutting Tool,Flexible Rotary Die Jetfly High Precision Manufacturing Co.,Ltd , https://www.jetflytech.com