I've recently been "coaxed" into a retirement that I view as a little premature, but it has freed up a little time to pursue a little research on a couple of people I believe should better remembered by those who share our interests.
I've already delved into "Professional Iconoclast" John G. Kneiling with considerable progress, but have yet to locate a final resting place.
But I had better luck with Mr. Robert Leonberger -- likely the last Block Operator to lose his life to the most prominent peril in his line of work when a derailment destroyed the CSX (former B&O) "CF" Tower at Confluence, PA, on May 6, 1987. Mr. Leonberger has, thankfully, been memorialized at findagrave.com, (I was lucky enough to have the pleasure of his company one Saturday about a year before) but I'm hoping that one of the sites devoted to the Operator's craft can add a bit more to his legacy.
Which brings me to Peter Josserand, Western Pacific's Chief Dispatcher, who headed he American Train Dispatchers' Association after World War II, and followed Harry Forman as Editor and Arbiter of Last Resort for operating rules issues. Mr. Josserand completely rewrote the reference work "Rights of Trains" in the late 1950's.
Mr Josserand suffered a fatal heart attack on May 4, 1963. and is reportedly buried in Sacramento, CA. What I've been able to locate so far lists the cemetery of his burial as "Lawn Memorial Park", but no record of such a place has turned up as yet, and inquiries via the 'Net at Camelia Lawn and Masonic Lawn also yielded no results.
So if anyone among our fraternity who lives in the Sacramento area can provide a clue or two, it would be much appreciated.
I see that you have gotten part of your question answered elsewhere, if you are who I think you are. (2nd trick op).
What I think you are looking for is East Lawn Memorial Park. http://www.eastlawn.com/
(Found this by searching Google Earth). The Sacramento Light Rail Gold Line passes by the cemetery. Rest in peace.
We managed to add Mr. Josserand to findagrave.com this afternoon:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Josserand&GSfn=Peter+&GSby=1901&GSbyrel=in&GSdy=1963&GSdyrel=in&GSob=n&GRid=133572806&df=all&
For the record, I am also known as "2nd trick op " at railroad.net and city-data.com
Recently on a Yahoo model railroad group dedicated to operations, a story related to Mr. Josserand's passing was shared.
When the funeral procession reached the cemetery, there was a picket line. The grave digger's union was on strike. Being a good union man, his friends figured it wouldn't be right for him to have to cross a picket line on his last journey. They went to the leader on the line and explained the situation. The leader had his people temporarily suspend the picket line to allow the procession to proceed. The leader, and one of his other men, also went to the grave site. They took some shovels and dug a few more inches of earth out so it could be said that union labor had been used.
Jeff
With a lot of help from Ms. Laurie Woodard Eckels, the wife of one of Mr. Josserand's grandsons, we've been able to learn quite a bit more about the industry's "arbiter of last resort".
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Josserand&GSfn=Peter+&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=133572806&df=all&
http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.$b247498;view=1up;seq=17
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter