Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association

Chief Charles Doegen
Date of Birth: November 13, 1930
Date of Death: January 14, 2021

The Brooklyn Community Volunteer Fire Company wishes to submit the name of Charles Doegen for consideration of the Hall of Fame Award. Charles became a member of Brooklyn Community Volunteer Fire Company in April 1948. Charles is a life member.

Since joining the Brooklyn Volunteer Fire Company, Charles has served as a Officer since 1957. Was appointed Deputy Chief in l965 and Chief in 1971 for one year. Charles served on the Board as member of the active body for many years. Charles was elected to the Board 1972, and Vice-President in October 1989. He was elected Administrative Officer in October 2003. Charles has served on the Board over 50 years.

Charles has also been active in the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighter's Association serving as Delegate for our Fire Company for 30 years.

Charles has been active in the Maryland State Volunteer Firefighter's Association serving as a Delegate for our company for 33 years

Please consider Charles Doegen for recognition in the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighter's Association Hall of Fame.

Sincerely,
Norman Ray Jr.
Secretary/ Treasurer
Brooklyn Community Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Lieutenant Charles Doegen took the initial phone call from the Arundel Park at the fire station at 5:08 P.M.

Lieutenant Charles Doegen was the officer on the first Brooklyn engine to respond to the Arundel Park building. His crew consisted of: Driver Eddie Utz, firefighters Harry Zlotowski, Ron Hasse, and Jim File.

At 5:16 P.M. Lieutenant Charles Doegen radioed for the second and third alarms to be dispatched.

Charles Doegen was the youngest of four children born to William Charles Doegen and Grace A. Jeffries Doegen. His brother William Charles Doegen, and sisters Dorothy and Edna pre-deceased him.

Charles joined the Brooklyn Community Volunteer Fire Company in April 1948. Charles was active in helping his father build the annual train gardens at the Brooklyn Community Fire station. He has served as an officer since 1957. Lieutenant Charles Doegen was the officer on the first Brooklyn engine to respond to the Arundel Park building. His crew consisted of: Driver Eddie Utz, firefighters Harry Zlotowski, Ron Hasse, and Jim File. This was the worst multi-casualty fire in Anne Arundel County History. Was appointed Deputy Chief in l965 and Chief in 1971 for one year. Charles was elected to the Board 1972, and Vice-President in October 1989. He was elected Administrative Officer in October 2003. Charles has served on the Board over 50 years. He was granted Life Membership of the company.

Charles has also been active in the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighter's Association serving as Delegate for our Fire Company for 30 years. He served on the Hall of Fame Committee from 2010 to 2020.

Charles was inducted into the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters’ Association Hall of Fame in 2009.

Charles has been active in the Maryland State Volunteer Firefighter's Association serving as a Delegate for our company for 33 years. You could always find Charles with his friend Lester A. Helfrich on the meeting floor.

Charles was in the US Army Reserve, inducted Nov 51 and activated to the regular US Army due to the hostilities surrounding the Korean war, effective, Nov 53. During his term with the U.S. Army, he was stationed in Japan for approximately 2 years. At the impressive age of 23 and the rank of Corporal, he was the Fire Chief of the Washington Heights Fire Station and in charge of the Fourth Battalion in one of Camp Tokyo’s two fire prevention divisions. Under his command as Battalion Fire Chief were five separate stations and nine engine companies, with more than 60 Japanese Fireman working with him. After returning to the United States, he was transferred back to the US Army reserves and discharged Nov 59.

Charles worked full time at Carling National Brewery for 30 years while holding down several long-term part-time jobs in order to support our family.

After retiring from Carling National Brewery, he accepted a position at Maryland Aviation Administration (BWI airport) from Nov 85 to Jan 2014. (Retired at 84 years old.)

He loved being at the airport with all the action. He was such a great cook that when it snowed, he would be called in for 24-hour shifts, not to clear snow but to cater meals for the employees. He enjoyed it and so did they.

Later in his career at BWI he worked in the Sign Fabrication Shop. At this late stage of life, he learned to work the high-tech equipment to make signs not only for the BWI airport but also the airport signs on roads leading to the airport. His manager and “adopted” son Tom called him The Sign Czar.

He enjoyed making signs so much that he started using his equipment at home to make signs, magnets, decals and stickers for friends, family and anyone who he thought would appreciate his work. His biggest requests were for the Baltimore Ravens, Baltimore Orioles and of course Natty Boh.

He loved making ornate bird houses. He made several Company 31 firehouses, trains, fancy western towns, log cabins and bird houses for every church denomination. Over the years he must have made hundreds that he has given away to friends and family. The houses were so nice that most people did not put them outside but kept them in their home. He was so proud of his work as were we.

Obituary

He was the youngest of four children of the late William Charles Doegen and Grace A. Jeffries Doegen.

Loving husband of Leona J. Zlotowski Doegen for 58 years (deceased) ; devoted father of Michelle, Steven, Michael Doegen and wife Sherri, David Doegen and wife Dolly. Grandfather of Jason Doegen and wife Lauren; Jimmy Roth and wife Bridget; Great Grandfather of Taylor and Haley Roth and Harbour Doegen; Sister-In-Law Bernadine Zlotowski Smith; Harry and wife Carol Zlotowski.