Lifetime Genoan Bill Brooks listens as Genoa Town Board member Gordon Pasley reads a proclamation in April 2024.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
On Saturday, Genoans dedicated the town fire bay to lifetime town resident H. William Brooks.
“You don’t know how humbled I am by this kind gesture,” he said. “I’m somewhat mystified by this honor since I perceive myself as an annoyance and irritant to most others.”
Arriving in the town as an infant in 1945, Brooks is the nephew of famed artist Hans Meyer Kassel.
He helped build the Genoa fire station starting at age 5.
“I was enlisted by one of the volunteers who held me upside down in the forms so I could tie the tie wires together they couldn’t reach,” he told a crowd of nearly 50 residents and well-wishers.
The firehouse was constructed starting in 1951 to house the 1927 Seagraves fire engine provided by the Douglas County Engine Company. The property was purchased from Agnes Train Jansen in 1948 for $150, he said. That first part of the fire station is currently occupied by the town offices and bathroom.
“I humbly accept this great honor on behalf of the many unrecognized volunteers, who devoted their time and talents to make Genoa a little better than how they found it. On their behalf I say thank you.”
Jack Bacon, who with Brooks’ help published the Hans Meyer Kassel book, said the Nevada Museum of Art has agreed to a second printing after the original run sold out.
Minden resident Marlena Hellwinkel, who was friends with Brooks’ cousin Anita, said he used to tag along with them.
She said she taught him to swim at Walley’s Hot Springs.
Former Town Manager Phil Ritger credited Brooks with leading the effort to obtain water rights to Canyon Creek.
“When I was the newly appointed town manager, there was this ornery guy lived across the way and people said if you’re going to get anything done in this town you have to befriend him,” Ritger said. “He was actually one of the easiest guys to befriend.”
