BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- The celebration of life for a man who was a former Kern County Fire Department chief and World War II veteran, who died in June at 100 years old is set for early September.

The celebration of life for Robert Lechtreck is set for Sept. 6 at 2:30 p.m. at the Kern County Firefighters Hall on Downing Avenue.

Lechtreck served in the navy at 17 years old in the Pacific Theater. His destroyer helped guard Tokyo Bay for the signing of the instruments of surrender in the battle of Okinawa.

He joined the Kern County Fire Department in 1948 and worked alongside the fire department's very first chief Harold Boway. In the 1970's Lechtreck served as fire chief for about three years.

After he retired he obtained his pilot’s license and flew to Baja each year for fishing

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