1949
Born to Louis Kuk and Mary Ann (Popdan) Kuk in Clinton, IA.
1965
Is a fire explorer scout for the Clinton Fire Department in Clinton, IA until 1969.
1969
Serves as military fire station chief with the U.S. Army Firefighters’ USARV Detachment of Special Troops in Long Binh, Vietnam until 1975.
1972
Is a firefighter, tillerman and one of the first EMTs in Clinton, IA until 1976.
1976
Is the fire chief for Olin Chemicals in Lake Charles, LA until 1981 and for Ward 1 District Fire in Moss Bluff, LA until 1989.
1979
Is the fire chief for PPG Industries in Lake Charles, LA until 1981; Earns a Certificate of Fire Science from Louisiana State University.
1985
Is the founder and chief executive officer of On Fire Consultant in Clinton, IA until 1989.
1987
Earns a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in fire science from Columbia Pacific University by 1988.
1989
Is the fire chief for the Savanna Army Depot in Illinois until 2000.
1998
Obtains a Doctor of Philosophy in religion from Universal Life Church University; Is named Firefighter of the Year by the U.S. Army.
2000
Serves as senior assistant fire chief in Fort Leavenworth, KS until 2004; Is a founding member of the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago.
2002
Receives the Amer. Biographical Institute Hall of Fame Award for Intl. Fire Protection & Watchman’s Rattle Historical Fire Society Author Award.
2004
Is the fire chief of Fire and Emergency Services at the U.S. Army Garrison Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, LA until 2012.
2006
Receives the International Association of Fire Chiefs President Award; Is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
2009
Is the first inductee into the U.S. Army Fire Chiefs Hall of Fame.
2012
Receives the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Fire Chief of the Year Award and Department of the Army Superior Civilian Service Award.
2015
Becomes a fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers; Receives a Certificate of Appreciation from the Louisiana Fire Chaplain Network.
2016
Receives the first Saint Florian Society of Poland Award granted to a non-Polish citizen; Is a delegate for FireNet.
2018
Is inducted into the Military Firefighter Hall of Fame and Military Firefighter Heritage Foundation.
2021
Publishes “An Army Firefighter in Vietnam 1970-1971.”