Amherst Fire District Scholarship In Memory of Chief Hans V. Suomi

This scholarship was established by Jane Suomi in memory of her husband, Hans Suomi. After graduating from La Center High School in La Center, Washington, Hans joined the U.S. Navy, proudly serving for 20 years. After retiring from the Navy, he began a second career with the Amherst Telephone Company where he worked for 26 years.

When Hans and Jane moved to Amherst, Hans wanted to give something back to the community, so he joined the Amherst Fire Department. He held the positions of secretary/treasurer and was the fire chief for five years. It was during his tenure as chief that the consolidated Amherst Fire District was formed. He also served as the District’s chief fire inspector and coordinated the Department’s fire safety education programs. He retired from the Amherst Fire Department after 27 years of service.

Hans was also a member of the American Legion Post 22, the VFW Post 11346, and past president of the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Branch 238. He was a member of the Amherst United Methodist Church and served as the church treasurer. He was the co-chairman of the American Cancer Society Amherst Relay for Life event. He also volunteered at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King making a difference in the lives of his fellow veterans. In 2006, Hans and Jane were honored to be named the Community Spirit’s “Person of the Year.”

Hans always took great pride in his work, whether it was serving his country in the Navy or with the Amherst Fire District and other organizations he was involved in over the years. He went above and beyond the call of duty in giving back to a community that held a very special place in his heart and always meant so much to him. It is the hope of the benefactor, Jane Suomi, that the student who receives this scholarship will go on to make a difference in their community as well.