SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Chief Steven Pinch and the Union Fire District of South Kingstown regretfully announce the passing of Allen C. “Nibby” Stedman, who passed away last week.

Stedman died peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 1. He was a lifetime member and trustee with the UFD’s Snug Harbor Fire Department Station 5, as well as the station delegate to the Rhode Island State Firefighters’ League.

“Nibby loved this department and even became our janitor in later years,” said longtime Station 5 firefighter Hilding Munson. “He would be down at the station almost every day.”

Stedman was in charge of the flag at the station, always making sure it was lowered to half-staff for a veteran and taken down for bad weather.

Following his most recent illness his position was held open for him out of respect, which he greatly appreciated. At one of the station’s last dinners before the pandemic he was presented with an award for his longtime service as secretary.

Stedman, a lifelong resident of South Kingstown who grew up on the salt ponds, served as a military police officer in the US Army 68th Military Police Co. during the Korean War years. He previously served as Grand Marshal of the South Kingstown Memorial Day parade, and took part in several other parades with fellow veterans.

He also greatly enjoyed riding in UFD fire trucks during the Fourth of July and South Kingstown Firefighter parades.

He was a member of Hope Masonic Lodge #25 in Wakefield for 60 years.

“Our condolences go out to Allen’s family, and we thank him for his years of dedicated service to the residents of South Kingstown and for his service to our country,” Chief Pinch said. 

Services for Stedman will be private at the convenience of his family.

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