Local fire chief also one time opera singer

Last week, Mount Horeb's longtime fire chief Charles Himsel passed away at the age of 67. The funeral for the beloved chief was held this morning, according to WKOW. Former Madison Opera General Director Ann Stanke reports the little known fact that Mr. Himsel also performed the role of Rinuccio in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi with Madison Opera in 1973. "He was an unschooled tenor with a beautiful voice and it was his first and probably only opera role. However, he acquitted himself admirably," she wrote today in an e-mail.

UPDATE: The Wisconsin State Journal covered today's funeral for "Fire truck Chuck" and mentions his performance with Madison Opera.