IAFF 9th District Vice President Passes Away

October 9, 2012 -- The IAFF is saddened to learn of the untimely passing of IAFF 9th District Vice President and Colorado Professional Fire Fighters (CPFF) President Randall Atkinson.

"This is a very sad and profound loss for all of Randy’s family, including his brothers and sisters throughout his District and the entire IAFF membership," says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "We will do everything we can to honor his service and duty, as well as celebrate his life consistent with the wishes of his family."

There will be a wake honoring Atkinson's life on Monday, October 15, 2012, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The family has asked that members share stories about him and how he impacted your life. The wake will be held at the Cowboy Lounge located on 1941 Market Street, Denver, Colorado. The restaurant is located seven miles from several hotels.

Transportation to the wake will be provided beginning at 6:15 p.m. from the Sheraton Denver Tech Center.

The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 16, 2012, at 1:00 p.m., at the Denver First Church of the Nazarene located on 3800 East Hampden Avenue, Denver, Colorado. All sworn personnel are asked to wear Class A Uniforms. The church is 16 miles from the hotels.

Immediately following the church service, there will be a procession to the Crown Hill Cemetery at 7777 West 29th Avenue, Wheatridge, Colorado for interment. The cemetery is 16 miles from the church.

Limited rooms are available at the Sheraton Denver Tech Center Hotel at 7007 South Clinton Street, Greenwood Village, Colorado. Call (303) 799-6200 for reservations. Reservations can also be made a the Marriot Denver Tech Center located 4900 South Syracuse Street, Denver, Colorado by calling (303) 779-1100. The Sheraton is offering a fire fighters rate of $149.00.

Atkinson began serving his community in 1972 at the age of 19 when he joined the Denver Fire Department and Denver Local 858.

Eight years later, Atkinson was ready to contribute more, jumping into the labor movement with both feet. He served as a lobbyist and legislative consultant for the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters and Denver Local 858. Almost simultaneously, he began serving on Local 858’s Collective Bargaining Committee.

He was elected president of the Colorado Professional Fire Fighters in 1995 and elected IAFF 9th District Vice President in 2007. Atkinson held both of those positions until his death.

Offices outside the IAFF include: Vice President of the Colorado AFL-CIO (1985-2007) and the Fire and Police Pension Board of Directors (1987-2001).

Over the course of his decorated career, Atkinson worked hard to protect fire fighter pensions, increase death and disability benefits, keep Right-to-Work out of Colorado, defeat pay check deception legislation, author and pass Hepatitis C presumptive legislation for fire fighters and many other accomplishments.
Members of the IAFF’s 9th District will remember him as a mentor and true unionist who never wavered from his dedication and determination to fight for what was best for fire fighters and paramedics.

Atkinson is survived by his son, Randy Atkinson Jr., and two daughters, Brenda and Denisa.