Richard Warren "Dick" Giles, age 96, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2026, in Stillwater.

Dick was born on March 15, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York, to Leonard and Mildred (Blight) Giles. At the age of six, his family moved to Summit, New Jersey, where he attended Summit schools and graduated from Summit High School in 1948.

Following graduation, Dick attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, from 1948 to 1950 before transferring to Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University) in Stillwater to study Fire Protection. In December 1952, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Trade and Industrial Education and an associate degree in Fire Protection Technology, beginning what would become a lifetime devoted to public safety, fire protection, and service to others.

On March 14, 1953, Dick married his high school sweetheart, Nancy June Forsberg, in Summit, New Jersey. Together they shared 57 wonderful years of marriage until Nancy's passing in 2010. They were blessed with three sons: Robert, David, and Donald, who proudly served as Oklahoma State University's mascot, Pistol Pete, from 1980 to 1982.

Dick's fire service career began in 1950 as a volunteer firefighter with the Stillwater Fire Department. He became a part-time firefighter in 1951 and joined the department full-time in October 1952. Through dedication and leadership, he advanced through the ranks as Driver, Captain, Fire Marshal, and ultimately Assistant Chief. He faithfully served the citizens of Stillwater until his retirement from the department in June 1971.

In February 1954, while raising a young family, Dick accepted a second part-time position at Oklahoma State University maintaining fire protection equipment across campus. Under his leadership, the program expanded significantly and was officially established as the Fire Safety Department in 1960, with Dick serving as its department head. Following his retirement from the fire department in 1971, he became the University's full-time Director of Safety.

During his distinguished career at Oklahoma State University, Dick transformed the Safety Department into an internationally recognized leader in collegiate fire protection and safety. His accomplishments included developing the first computerized maintenance scheduling system for fire protection equipment, creating a comprehensive Fire Safety Manual and residence hall training program, helping develop architectural fire protection symbols later adopted by the National Fire Protection Association, establishing Homecoming Fire and Safety Regulations, and implementing numerous innovative fire prevention and accident reduction programs. Under his leadership, the department expanded its responsibilities to include fire code compliance, construction plan review, hazardous chemical control and disposal, and asbestos abatement in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency. He retired from Oklahoma State University in June 1988 after more than three decades of dedicated service.

Dick's commitment to serving others extended far beyond his professional career. He and Nancy became Charter Members of Highland Park United Methodist Church in 1960, where they faithfully served in numerous ministries throughout the years.

He was active in many professional organizations, including the National Fire Protection Association, where he served on the Education and Assembly Occupancies Committee of the Life Safety Code; the National Safety Council; the International Association of Arson Investigators; the Campus Safety Association; the Fire Marshals' Association of North America; and the American Society of Safety Engineers, where he held Emeritus Professional Member status and was an Emeritus Certified Safety Professional. He also served the Oklahoma State Firefighters Association as a board member of the Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum and was an Emeritus member of the International Fire Service Training Association, contributing to the development of fire service training manuals used worldwide. He received the organization's Marvin Austin Award in 2009 and was recognized in 2016 for 50 years of dedicated service. Dick was also a Certified Emergency Medical Technician.

A devoted community volunteer, Dick was an active member of the Stillwater Noon Lions Club for more than 40 years, serving as secretary for over 20 years. He was named Lion of the Year in 1993-94, received the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship in 1999, and became a Lifetime Member in 2006.

He also volunteered with the Stillwater Medical Center Auxiliary for 12 years, serving nine years as chairman of the Lifeline Program. In recognition of more than 4,000 volunteer hours, he was named an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Auxiliary in 1998. A longtime member of the Payne County Retired Firefighters Association, he faithfully served as treasurer for many years.

Never one to stop serving, Dick returned to the Stillwater Fire Department as its volunteer photographer, serving for 17½ years beginning in 2001. A member of the International Association of Fire Photographers, his work appeared in professional publications, on the Firehouse Magazine website, and in local newspapers. His photographs are preserved in the archives of the Stillwater Public Library, documenting the history of the department he loved.

Away from work and volunteer service, Dick found great joy in gardening—especially cultivating roses—woodworking, photography, model railroading, and reading.

Dick was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Nancy; his parents, Leonard and Mildred Giles; his brother, Donald Giles; his paternal grandparents, Herbert and Lucielle Giles; and his maternal grandparents.

He is survived by his sons, Robert "Bob" Giles and wife Nancy of Ava, Missouri; David Giles of Lincoln, Missouri; and Donald Giles and wife Christine of Stillwater, Oklahoma. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Rodney, Jennifer, Rachel, Thomas, Amanda, Christopher, Andrew, Matthew, Aaron, Casey, Kelly, and Sera; his great-grandchildren: Roei, Zackary, Penelope, Joy, Beniah, Coren, Sam, Hope, Madalyn, and Heidi; his brother, Kenneth Giles of Duxbury, Massachusetts; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and countless friends and colleagues.

Dick will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, respected fire service professional, faithful church member, dedicated volunteer, and mentor to generations of firefighters and safety professionals. His life's work made Oklahoma State University, the City of Stillwater, and the fire service community safer places, and his legacy will continue through the many people he taught, inspired, and served.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma State University Foundation, 400 South Monroe Street, Stillwater, OK, designated for the Oklahoma State University School of Fire Protection and Safety Laboratory Fund (#26-47600), or to a charity of the donor's choice.