This story, as it appears in the Jan. 26 issue of the Times/Reporter (and the initial post on the website, which was removed until an updated version could be posted) incorrectly lists the year of Reninger’s death and the title of Wolfgang Nitsch, chief of the department. We regret the errors.
By Penny Gruetzmacher
Correspondent
Amidst the fun activities at Ice Party Gone Wild – a fundraiser for Fontana Fire and Rescue – was a touching and somber event; the dedication of the department’s new airboat.
The boat was dedicated to the memory of Mark Reninger, a 53-year-old man from Wheeling, Ill., who died Feb. 14, 2016 when the snowmobile he was riding went through the ice on Geneva Lake.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Reninger’s snowmobile hit open water on the lake. A snowmobiler who was riding near Reninger jumped off his sled and called for help but it reportedly took rescuers about an hour to reach the scene.
DNR Warden Juan Gomez said because of the open water in the center of the lake, rescuers had to take additional precautions so as not to put first responders at risk. Reninger died at the scene and the other man was hospitalized and treated for hypothermia.
At the dedication event Jan. 20, many Fontana Fire and Rescue volunteers were wearing red t-shirts with RENBO 53, the name of the boat to honor Reninger.
Wolfgang Nitsch, chief of the department, said all the efforts put forth to raise money for the boat were worth it.
“All the funds raised, the money from local people including golf outings – it will save lives,” Nitsch said.
Several sponsors are listed on a plaque on the boat: the Reninger family, Shodeen Family Foundation, Blackhawk Alumni, the Robert and Marcy Allen family, St. Benedict Catholic Perish, Chuck’s Lakeshore Inn, Bob and Barb Reninger, the Gregg Kunes family, Fontana Fire/Rescue, the Origer family, Turk and the Friends of Fontana Fire/Rescue, though it was pointed out that there were additional donors who wished to remain anonymous.
Members of Reninger’s family were at the dedication ceremony, and radio personality Bill Michaels served as Master of Ceremonies. The event included the singing of the National Anthem and the ringing of the bell to bring the boat officially into service.
On Saturday, Jan. 27, the boat was used in a training exercise on Geneva Lake.
