Allan "Al" Reichle

1934 - 2016

Allan "Al" Reichle (82)

May 11, 1934 - July 19, 2016

Born in Detroit, Michigan to Arthur and Helen Reichle, he came to the desert in the early 1940's and attended school in Palm Springs. He joined the Navy and served his country during the Korean Conflict and when discharged in 1955 he returned to Palm Springs. In 1956 he married Dianne (Weatherford) and shortly thereafter had two sons John and David. He worked for Cal-Electric as a lineman and went on to be a Journeyman Electrician. He worked nights and weekends as an ambulance driver for Palm Springs Mortuary and in 1966 he established Springs Ambulance Service Inc. There he pioneered the use of Paramedics in the private ambulance industry and ultimately went on to become the first private sector paramedic service provider in the state. In 1972 he graduated Paramedic Training making him one of the original six private sector paramedics in the nation. He served on the Board of Directors for the California Ambulance Association for over 20 years and served as it's President for two terms (1973-1975). He was honored by his peers receiving the "Man of the Year" award from the American Ambulance Association in 1985 and from the California Ambulance Association in 1983 and again in 1985. His contributions helped shape the future of his industry and his advice shaped the future of the people who knew and worked for him. In 1997 he sold Springs Ambulance Service to American Medical Response (AMR) and continued to actively help direct the future of the emergency ambulance and paramedic service industry. His remaining time would find him traveling the world, experiencing all that it offered. He is survived by spouse: Gayle (Clark) of Carmichael, CA. and her children and grandchildren , sons: Jeff Reichle (Dorothy) of Cape May, NJ., David Reichle (April) of Palm Springs, CA., Grandchildren: Kenny, Callie and Taylor Reichle of CA., Wayne Reichle, Amy Davids (Joe) of NJ. Step Grandchildren Brandon Riggins CA., Brittany Riggins AZ., and 8 Great Grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held on August 20 at 10:00am at Wiefels and Sons Mortuary Palm Springs.