Rockford's oldest firefighter passed away over the weekend and the community is coming together to honor the hero.
His daughter and long time friend say he spent his life serving the community.
"That was his goal in life, after everything else he wanted to make 100, and he did," said Harriet Retzke, daughter.
Harriet Retzke remembers her father Max Kirschbaum. He became a Rockford firefighter back in 1948, serving on the rescue squad at Fire Station 3.
"Max was always fun working with that's for sure," said Robert Rehfeldt, friend and colleague.
"And that squad made every call in Rockford at that time because Rockford was a lot smaller," Retzke said.