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Family won't give up hope By BILL VARBLE A Northern California man digging through the rubble at ground zero in Lower Manhattan says firefighters and other volunteers have basically ignored Mayor Rudolph Guiliani's statement that there's no hope left of finding survivors. "The New York City firefighters are a pretty strong force," Barbara Geidel said Thursday. "They'll have to peel them off." Ralph Geidel, of Seiad Valley, Calif., a former New York City firefighter, joined his father, son and one brother in searching for Ralph's other brother in the wreckage at the site of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Missing is Gary Geidel, a member of New York's elite Rescue One, who was trying to rescue people Sept. 11 when the building collapsed on rescue workers. Joining Ralph in the search are his brother Mike, a Rescue One member, his father, Paul, a retired Rescue One lieutenant, and Ralph's son Ralph Jr., an army sergeant. "Ralph has been in Manhattan since Sunday night," Barbara Geidel says. "He said he may take a break tonight. It's hour by hour." Ralph Geidel was sitting on a pile of rubble Wednesday morning when a shadow passed over him and he looked up, and New York Gov. George Pataki was standing there. "He reached down and squeezed his shoulder," she says. "It seemed like he didn't have to use words." Ralph and Barbara Geidel live in a remote part of Northern California where he mines for gold. He hails from the Totenville neighborhood of Staten Island. He is a former U.S. Marine who served in New York City's fire department until a knee injury ended his career. "He's reconnected with some of the guys from his old firehouse in Brooklyn," Barbara Geidel says. "Even old high school buddies." She says the couple's dogs are staying extra close and their parrot, Charlie, is calling for daddy. She says she expects to join her husband in New York. "I'm just waiting for the word," she says. "The reality is, each day that goes by, hope dims. He's been able to recover other people's loved ones. He's never said there's not hope. He says it doesn't look good. "It's still really hard on the family." Reach reporter Bill Varble at 776-4478 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.