Eric C. Speck, 38, answered a rescue call with his wife on June 23, 2016, and as they were transferring the patient to the cot, Eric did not feel right. He suffered a heart attack and was taken to the hospital, where he passed away on June 27, 2016.

Eric joined the Dakota City Fire Department when he was 21 years old. He served as a lieutenant on the rescue squad and was a captain at the time of his death. He joined the department to be able to help people. That is what he enjoyed doing. He worked as an EMT in Macy, Nebraska, on the Omaha tribe reservation. No matter what time of day it was, he was always there to help a person out.

Eric was very outspoken on any subject. He loved to joke around and have fun. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, putting model cars together, and watching football and NASCAR. He loved all holidays, especially the Fourth of July, because all his family and friends were around to blow stuff up. He also loved to be on the go. There was never a boring moment with him around.

Eric is survived by his wife and two kids, Skyler and Devin; his mom, Nancy; his dad, Richard; brother, Matt; his sister-in-law, Chaia; two nephews and a niece; and his extend friends and family from work and the fire department.

He will always be in our hearts. We all enjoyed the time we got to spend with him.