Retired St. Paul Firefighter Dies of Heart Failure

Family and fellow firefighters are mourning the loss of retired St. Paul firefighter Ramon “Ray” Hain, who died November 14 from a heart ailment contracted in the line of duty.

Hain, 50, contracted a disease that destroyed his heart after contact with a patient's fluids while responding to a call in 1996. A hear transplant in 1998 afforded Hain 11 more years of life before his second heart failed.

“It was very unsettling to see such a warm-hearted, passionate individual have to leave the department at such a young age," Assistant Fire Chief Jim Smith said. "Ray will be sorely missed.”

Hain joined the Saint Paul Fire Department in 1994 and retired in 2000. He is survived by his wife, Gail, and two daughters, Rachel and Sara.

"Ray’s unfortunate death is a graphic reminder of the dangers inherent in providing emergency medical services to the citizens of St Paul," Fire Chief Tim Butler said. "“We extend our department’s deepest condolences to Ray’s wife and daughters.”

A memorial service and visitation were held Saturday St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Roseville. Hain will be memorialized at the National Fallen Fire Fighter’s memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Hain is the first line-of-duty death for the St. Paul Fire Department in 20 years. In 1989, fire investigator Gary Skoglund died following an overnight fire.