Retired Rogers Deputy Fire Chief Laid to Rest
By: Marissa Stevens
Updated: June 19, 2012
Deputy Chief Richard Feast served with the Rogers Fire Department for 25 years, before retiring in 1996.
"Dad was a very courageous man," said Richard Feast Jr., son of Chief.
"He didn't know a stranger. He took care of everybody as his own. He just made sure everybody was safe," said Ricky Feast, son of Chief.
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"He was a fantastic instructor. He was a firefighter's firefighter.... I really looked up to him and I respected him then, and I respect him now," said Cleve Clark, a Rogers firefighter who worked with Chief Feast.
After a life spent protecting, he was laid to rest at Friendship Cemetery in Springdale.
"What I'm going to carry on is the principal of honor that dad distilled in us," said Ricky.
"My dad would do anything in the world for anyone, and I want to carry on that... I know he's proud of us, and we're proud of him," said Richard Jr.
The Rogers Fire Department, Benton County Sheriff's Office, Honor Guard, and several others paid respect as Chief Feast was escorted to his final resting place on the last fire truck he served in.
"Whether he's retired, we knew him or didn't know him, he's still part of the brotherhood," said Captain Shawn Treat with the Rogers Fire Department.
"The work that he did at the Rogers Fire Department saved literally thousands of lives over his career and I know that his efforts will continue through us," said Clark.
As Chief Feast's family copes with the loss, they are comforted by the memories.
"He was a very, very good man," said Richard Jr.
"Everybody always leaned on someone and that's what we're doing today, we're leaning on each other," said Ricky.
And they believe their Chief is always watching.
"I know he's looking down and he's guiding, he's pointing us where we need to go," said Ricky.
Chief Feast served in the National Guard, with the Rogers Police Department, he was a paramedic, and also worked for the Benton County Sheriff's Office as a criminal investigator.
During Tuesday's service, the Bentonville and Springdale Fire Departments covered for Rogers so Feast's fellow firefighters could attend the funeral.
The service exemplified cities helping cities, to help honor Chief Feast.







