Raymond-Harvel Ambulance

(from The Raymond News, February 3, 1977)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's hard to believe that 37 years have passed since the Raymond-Harvel Ambulance service was formed. The first emergency call was on October 17, 1977 when a "Raymond youth" was injured in a bicycle accident. Sharon Holder and Rick Broaddus were the two volunteer emergency medical technicians who responded to the scene. Charter members of the squad included: Paul Ananias, Myrtle Barto, Don Bergdolt, Mick Broaddus, Rick Broaddus, Sally Broaddus, Theo Brown, Ross Clark, Dennis Held, Kay Held, Sharon Holder, Gary Irwin, Dave Leonard, Ray Marten, Joe Martin, Vonnie Martin, Ron McIintire, Marcella Mitts, Rex Pitchford, Linda Poggenpohl, Russ Poggenpohl, Joanne Porter, Charlie Pryor, Don Richter, Shirley Seifert, Harold Wagahoff, and Bill Vanzant. A few of the charter members remain active on the squad today.

One of Raymond's first ambulances

Prior to 1977, Bob and Temple Hough, owners of Hough Funeral Home in Raymond, provided the ambulance service. Bob Hough (dad always called him Robert A.), drove the ambulance and relied on friends and neighbors to ride along in the back with the patient to administer oxygen and other first aid treatment. Back in the early 70's, there were a few times when my dad was called upon to help, and I can remember Bob Hough barreling into our driveway in the dark blue station wagon that had a single red light mounted on the top.

The Hough family operated the ambulance for 37 years, and it was often a hectic job, especially due to all the accidents out on Route 66. Bob Hough once said that his busiest day ever occurred one year during the Illinois State Fair when he had five calls on the same day.

Thanks to Danny Hough for providing the picture above of an early ambulance. The Houghs' purchased a Nash ambulance in the 40's and the original back window from that ambulance is located above the front entrance of Hough Funeral Home in Raymond. Check it out sometime.