Retiring Des Moines Water Works CEO hydrant collection inspires daughter’s photo quest
Before Ted Corrigan packed up his office for retirement after 35 years at Des Moines Water Works, he had to figure out what to do with the fire hydrants in his office. The solution: bring them home and add to the collection. It’s a hobby that was inspired by his first job in suburban Chicago. “They were taking out these very decorative, very elaborate fire hydrants. And they were throwing them in the trash. And I said, ‘hey, can I have one of those?’ And they’re like, ‘why would you want one of those?’” Corrigan said. His interest turned into something to look for on vacations. “Everybody takes a picture of Mount Rushmore or the Statue of Liberty. When we were traveling, I’d say, ‘let’s get a picture of this fire hydrant,’” Corrigan said. “Whenever we would go on vacation or out of town as a family, my dad would notice fire hydrants and would tell us about what the different cap colors meant,” Rae Corrigan Grove, Ted’s daughter, said. Eventually, Rae was influenced by her dad’s quirk. From Denmark to the Netherlands to New Mexico and Texas, she started taking pictures with hydrants during her travels. It was extra exciting when she spots a CLOW, a company based in Iowa. While Ted steps away from work, his interest and dedication to water will continue into retirement.
Before Ted Corrigan packed up his office for retirement after 35 years at Des Moines Water Works, he had to figure out what to do with the fire hydrants in his office. The solution: bring them home and add to the collection. It’s a hobby that was inspired by his first job in suburban Chicago.
“They were taking out these very decorative, very elaborate fire hydrants. And they were throwing them in the trash. And I said, ‘hey, can I have one of those?’ And they’re like, ‘why would you want one of those?’” Corrigan said.
His interest turned into something to look for on vacations.
“Everybody takes a picture of Mount Rushmore or the Statue of Liberty. When we were traveling, I’d say, ‘let’s get a picture of this fire hydrant,’” Corrigan said.
“Whenever we would go on vacation or out of town as a family, my dad would notice fire hydrants and would tell us about what the different cap colors meant,” Rae Corrigan Grove, Ted’s daughter, said.
Eventually, Rae was influenced by her dad’s quirk. From Denmark to the Netherlands to New Mexico and Texas, she started taking pictures with hydrants during her travels. It was extra exciting when she spots a CLOW, a company based in Iowa.
While Ted steps away from work, his interest and dedication to water will continue into retirement.