Craig R. Halker

Retired Long Beach Fire Battalion Chief and Master Fire Chief Instructor Craig R. Halker, passed away on Saturday, August 7, 2021 surrounded by his loved ones. He was born July 12, 1940 in Loveland, Colorado to Gifford and Leighaura Halker. After moving to Southern California from Colorado in the late 1950's, he fell in love with its beauty and never left. He met Linda Rupe, the love of his life and they were married February 10, 1962. They had 2 children: Diana (Robert Gregory) and Craig P. (Jamie).

Craig loved his chosen career as a fire-ground commander, promoting to Captain at age 27 and then to Chief Officer at age 36 and served as The Fire Marshal throughout the 1980's. During his legendary career Craig became a Master Fire Chief Instructor and taught at academies for city and county fire departments as well as colleges and training facilities all over the state of California. Chief Halker achieved an almost celebrity status wherever he went and was often referred to as “The Legend.” He was a fixture at Long Beach City College, Rancho Santiago City College as well as Tribal Land, Forest Land and Oil Company Fire Departments throughout the west. He developed training standards, techniques and strategies that are still in use to this very day. He taught Fire Command classes and seminars for the California State Fire Marshall's office for more than 20 years, that were attended by emergency managers and promoting commanding officers throughout the continental United States.

He began his career working for the Los Angeles County Forestry and Fire Protection task force in the late 1950's, working at Camp #2 in the mountains above LA. He was hired by the Long Beach Fire Department in 1961 where he worked and served until his mandatory aged retirement in the year 2000. After his retirement from active duty he continued teaching as many as 40 weeks a year until he suffered a massive stroke while on vacation in July of 2013 in Maui, Hawaii. Chief Halker served on organized Fire Departments for more than 40 years and was an instructor for nearly 40 years, with a total service ranging from 1957 - 2013. Craig served the citizens and communities of Southern California during 7 separate decades. During his career he served in nearly every capacity and function within a class-one fire department.

Not only was Craig revered and truly beloved by his entire family, but by fire fighters, chief officers and city managers where ever he went. He taught and instructed from a real world perspective sharing his life-time of professional training of experience with public and private servants at every position and occupation. Not a week of his adult life went by without a current or former public servant recognizing him on the streets of Long Beach or in his favorite local eateries and stores. For many years he served in the Lion’s Club of Long Beach, raising charitable donations to fund much needed corrective eye surgeries for the less fortunate. In his later years, he became an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and more recently began preparations to attend and serve in the Los Angeles LDS Temple.

Craig is survived by his wife and 2 children, his five grandchildren: Brittany (Tyler), Robert (Kelly), Miles (Malea), Matthew and Gary, and his four great-grandchildren: Jack, Claire, Scarlett and Samantha.

Craig was 81.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401