Wayne "Doc" Nau
Doc was a true leader, mentor, and member of the Columbia Borough Fire Department and will be greatly missed.
Visitation for Doc will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 and from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 with services to follow on Wednesday.
Both events will be held at the Clyde W. Kraft Funeral Home, 519 Walnut St, Columbia, PA 17512.
Those attended are requested to dress casually.
“I’m still good - looking” Wayne “Doc” Nau. 87, of Columbia passed away on April 1, 2025. He was born in Columbia to the late Walter and Mary Keller Nau and was a lifelong resident of Columbia. Doc attended Columbia High School and proudly served in the United States Army and National Guard. Doc joined the Susquehanna Fire Co. #4, known as the Hambones, in 1957. During this time, he became a driver/operator of all the apparatus, including the water rescue boat.
Doc became the Fire Chief of the department in 1973. His desire and aggressive nature made the Hambones a very proactive fire department. He was strategic in making the Hambones a well known name in the specialty of rescue and one of the first in the area. He led the department to the Hershey Rescue competition in 1978, where they were the only volunteer rescue company to place in the top 5. He was also instrumental in having the department in the IFSTA Rescue Practices Manual in 1981. Doc was also instrumental in creating the hazardous materials team the department had from 1981-1989.
Doc spent 4 years as the Columbia Borough Fire Chief from 1983-85 and 1991-93, when the borough had 5 fire departments. He retired as the Fire Chief in 1993, but remained a trustee for 10 years and a loyal member providing input and direction when needed.
He served on the committees for the design of the 1971 CF600 Mack and the 1977 Ford/Hammerly Heavy Rescue. He was also involved with fundraising projects that included the carnival, Christmas tree sales, chicken barbecues, bingo, dances, and various raffles.
Doc was a true leader, mentor, and member of the Columbia Borough Fire Department and will be greatly missed.
In his later life you could find Doc hanging out at the Hambones Social Club telling his old one line jokes that always made you laugh or telling old fire stories to the young guys who would ask.
Doc was a lifetime member of the Hambones and member of the Columbia - Middletown Elks Lodge #1074. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who adored his family and treasured spending time with them.
Doc leaves behind his wife of fifty-one years Audrey Henny Nau; ten children, Jeffery (Terry) Nau, Jolene (Kyle) Hake, Jetti (Charles) Reese, Judy Weiss, Jeanette (Gregory) Good, James (Nicole) Nau, Mary Kendig, Daphne (Michael) Emig, Robert (Sandy) Bell, Anthony (Esther) Bell; eighteen grandchildren and thirty great grandchildren; a sister, Mary Ellen (Butch) Peters. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three siblings, Marlin, Jane, and Virginia and two grandchildren.
Visitation for Doc will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 and from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 with services to follow on Wednesday. Both events will be held at the Clyde W. Kraft Funeral Home, 519 Walnut St, Columbia, PA 17512. Those attended are requested to dress casually. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Columbia Borough Fire Dept. (Hambones), P.O. Box 426, Columbia, PA 17512.
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