George Esbensen, Eden Prairie Fire Chief

Today, along with Fire Marshal Allen Nelson, Fire Inspector Tony Liddell, Firefighter Bill Beumer and Firefighter Jolin Tyler, I attended the funeral services for David “Cookie” Klapprich. Many Eden Prairie firefighters knew “Cookie” and probably almost every firefighter knows or has heard of his father, Paul. Paul has been the Chief of the Wayzata Fire Department for many years and he and his sons all have prominent roles in running the organization, both past and present. Cookie was only 43 years old and had just been promoted to Captain. I did not know Cookie but I know one of his brothers Kevin and his father well. The large church was filled with hundreds of people that knew Cookie. In addition, I counted over 20 different Fire Departments that sent trucks and staff to pay their respects to the Klapprich family and the extended family that is the Wayzata Fire department. This was a standing room only event. I am sure that Cookie is leaving behind a strong legacy as a result of his many contributions to his family, the community of Wayzata and the Wayzata Fire Department. Please keep the Klapprich family in your thoughts as they begin to recover from this tragic loss.