“It is not a key to any lock, but is the true key to the hearts of the citizens of Fairbank,” a recent City of Fairbank proclamation read honoring one of Fairbank’s own.
Ted Vorwald, better known as Mr. Fairbank to many residents and neighbors, has been a go-to for the city for decades, having fought many fires, provided medical care and assisted in countless rescues with the Fairbank Fire Department for over 57 years and worked as the city’s right hand man when it came to city maintenance.
“I believe it was very early 80’s, maybe ‘79, ‘80, we only had one city guy. He became the city maintenance man — he was the guy and he retired out of there after 30 years,” Firefighter and Fairbank Mayor Jason Kayser said about Vorwald’s service. “He still volunteers in many aspects, still helps on the Fire Department, still helps with the Community Club. I couldn’t think of a better person to receive the award.”
The proclamation reads:
“WHEREAS: Theodore Vorwald will be honored by friends, relatives, and fellow firefighters on the occasion of formally honoring and recognizing his retirement after 57 years of service to the city; and
WHEREAS: Theodore Vorwald joined the Fairbank Volunteer Fire Department on December, 1st 1966, and remained active in firefighting and emergency medical care until September 01, 2024 and continues to be an active auxiliary member of the department and city activities; and
WHEREAS: Theodore Vorwald’s decades of service to the City of Fairbank and the surrounding community, during which time Theodore (Ted) has earned the respect, love, and affection of fellow citizens and has been a stabilizing influence in the City and Fire Department of Fairbank, Iowa: and
WHEREAS: the citizens of the City of Fairbank, Iowa wish to honor Theodore Vorwald for his passion and commitment to the City and Fire Department, his example as a role model to other members of the Fairbank Fire Department, and his service and dedication to the community; and
NOW, THEREFORE: by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Fairbank, on behalf of the Fairbank City Council and all citizens hereof, I do hereby present Theodore (Ted) Vorwald with this Key to the City; it is not a key to any lock, but is the true key to the hearts of the citizens of Fairbank.
In further, urging all citizens to join me and the City Council in honoring Ted Vorwald on his nearly 60 years of selfless service to the city and extending best wishes for his continued success in his future endeavors.”
Vorwald joked that sooner or later they would get him retired, and the awards he has earned over the years “must mean something” about his honorable and exemplary work. A brief conversation with Vorwald revealed that if there is anything to know about Fairbank, he’s the guy, and that he remains humble about his long-lasting passion for volunteerism — even with a quick quip here and there.
“I can’t afford to move, and I never ever had any intentions of moving from Fairbank,” Vorwald said jokingly. “I’ve always had a job. The main reason is because there’s plenty of volunteer work to do in Fairbank, other than plain being a nice, clean town.”
While he may not be from Fairbank, all roads lead back to the services he has provided over the years, whether that be seen through the lights adorning poles along Main Street or through other city beautification means. Vorwald was honored with two plaques — the proclamation framed and the key to the City of Fairbank — at the Fairbank Fire Department’s annual banquet surrounded by friends, family, fellow firemen and women and neighbors.
“Those are two very nice awards I received from the city,” Vorwald said. “It was nice to get the awards.”
