"Bud," as he was called, became a volunteer firefighter before he was out of high school for what was to become the Santee Fire Department.  He was hired after graduation.  In November of 1965, he became a member of the San Diego Fire Department and 9 years later, he was promoted to Fire Captain.  He was proud of his profession, valued the brotherhood, and especially enjoyed wildland fire fighting.  Whether working wildland fires or helping to oversee the command post, Robert Larimer showed his true grit.