Rexford Wilson, 91, died peacefully in his home alongside Lake Quantabacook in Searsmont, Maine on April 3rd 2022.

Attending preparatory school, Rex competed in track and swimming, acquired skills as a telephone operator, and earned his wings as a private pilot. Rex shared that he had several brushes with death in his life, the first of which occurred while piloting a small plane home for his 21st birthday. He was caught in a storm and crashed in Pennsylvania. While he emerged unscathed, he only had enough money to send a short telegram home so he sent: “Crashed Plane. Feel No Pain. Taking Train.”

Rex started his higher education pursuits at Hamilton College before transferring to Amherst College. A member of the Air Force Reserves, he was activated as part of the 1993rd AACS Communications Squadron in the Korean War and completed 2 years of service. He returned from Korea with a clear purpose of dedicating his life to helping others through fire safety engineering.

Rex earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts. During his studies, Rex served an on-call member of the Amherst Fire Department.

Rex joined the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as a Field Representative. During this time, and continuing throughout his career, he promoted building code improvements and legislation to improve building fire safety including the addition of smoke doors in hotels and apartment buildings, sprinkler systems in high rises and inclusion of smoke detectors in residences. He authored several articles and publications and was part of the team that developed the “Stop, Drop and Roll” campaign.

Rex’s second brush with death came in August of 1963 when he suffered a near-fatal injury at a fire at the Central Coal Co. in Framingham, Massachusetts. The explosion of a 15,000 gallon fuel oil storage tank claimed the lives of three firefighters and injured dozens more including Rex. Seeing the smoke on his way home from the NFPA Rex went to the scene.

With his background in fire science, Rex observed signs of the impending explosion and, though he was just an onlooker, began working to get members of the public away from the scene. This effort included leading a 12 year old boy to safety. While they were both clear of the initial explosion the force of the blast dislodged a piece of switching equipment from the adjacent train tracks and sent it flying between the boy and Rex. The shrapnel removed the boy's right leg and caused a massive injury to Rex’s left elbow. After attempts to reconstruct his elbow, Rex contracted gangrene and his left arm was amputated by Nobel Laureate Dr. Joseph E. Murray. After the surgery, while in recovery, Dr. Murray asked Rex if he could hear him and Rex replied, “Can I play the violin?” Dr. Murray, surprised by the question, inquired if Rex had played the violin. Rex responded, “No, but I’ve always wanted to!”

Rex’s career in Fire Protection Engineering continued at the NFPA followed by a year as the Director of the University of Maryland Fire Extension, now known as MFRI, and then onto Fenwal, a private company developing and manufacturing fire safety products. As Product Development Manager, he was part of a team awarded a patent for a portable fire safety system; the Firepac 360.

Finally, he founded Firepro, Inc which was a consulting firm specializing in fire safety systems and fire investigations. A recognized subject matter expert in the field of fire engineering, Firepro designed the fire safety systems for the Library of Congress and the John Hancock Building in Boston among many others. Leading Firepro, Rex also investigated large loss incidents including the 1980 MGM Grand Hotel fire and the 1986 Dupont Plaza Hotel fires.

Rex also played a significant role in the creation of the Fire Protection Engineering Department at Worcester Polytechnic Institute; now recognized as one of the leading fire protection engineering graduate programs in the world.

His lifetime of contributions to fire safety and fire protection engineering have been recognized by numerous industry awards including the NFPA Standards Medal and being made a Fellow of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.

Throughout his lifetime, he was intrigued by new ideas and technologies. His family has distinct memories of him bringing home the latest and greatest high tech computers and gadgets. However, it was his profound gratitude for living, unfailingly positive outlook and glorious joie de vivre that will be remembered most by his family.

Rex is survived by his four children, four grandchildren and one brother and two sisters. Per his wishes there will be a private memorial in late May 2022 where the family will spread his ashes by his beloved Lake Quantabacook. 

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