If what I read online is correct He has died
What did you read on-line, and where did you read it? His name is Richard Kughn. Is that the spelling that you saw?
Bob Nelson
There is a thread over at OGR mag forum. That's all I've seen.
Thesiding has his name misspelled, but Richard Kughn did pass away within the past 2 days. Threads have been posted on Modeltrainforum and OGR forum, with more details.
spalen wis net mi strong paint ALSO when you type fast................................................. Found this out on a facebook page this morning about Mr. Kughn (see I AM ABLE to spell)
Wow, he is the guy who saved Lionel and was the best steward of the Lionel legacy that the firm ever had.
Bob Keller
deleted
You said it Bob, and if what I saw on the TM videos of Mr. Kughn was any indication he seemed like a fun guy as well, someone you could have a ball with just hangin' out and runnin' trains.
I'm not a body-language expert by any means, but on the TM video "A Century of Lionel Trains" when Mr. Kughn stated his reason for selling Lionel in 1995 as wanting to reduce his workload the impression I got was he was sorry he did. Just the look on his face spoke volumes.
I should add it's worth watching the video just to hear Dick recall the life lessons he learned as a boy playing with his Lionels, he and his friends. All true and timeless.
I went all over the 'Net last night trying to find an obituary or death notice but no luck. Nothing in the Detroit or Dearborn papers or the Naples FL paper, I believe Mr. Kughn had a residence there. I wonder how the OGR crowd found out?
I just found this heartfelt tribute on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqR-r-iRaVE
Good choice of music, Beethoven's Piano Sonata #14 in C-Sharp Minor.
Probably how most of us feel.
RIP Richard.
He had a health scare some years back and sold off Madison Hardware and his train/car collection. He did keep a layout for home though. Being from the Detroit area I was able to see it all.
S.J.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Flintlock76 I wonder how the OGR crowd found out?
If I read it right the man that reported his passing was the same person that did the Madison Hardware story. I'm not allowed to post over there so all I know is what someone else posts.
His obituary was in the Detroit Free Press, today, June 13, 2019
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/06/13/richard-p-kughn-lionel-toy-train-co/1427686001/
Thanks Nationwide', thanks so much!
I just found this article in Press and Guide: http://www.pressandguide.com/news/former-lionel-train-co-owner-dearborn-resident-richard-p-kughn/article_16d01f30-8dfb-11e9-b8fd-4bc4b7e40836.html
Rene Schweitzer
Classic Toy Trains/Garden Railways/Model Railroader
Thanks Rene!
Any chance of CTT putting out a memorial issue for Richard Kughn, or is it really too soon to ask? I imagine you folks at CTT are just as blindsided by this as the rest of us.
How's this for a title, "The Man Who Saved Lionel." Just a suggestion. Free advice costs nothing and it's worth the price!
I thought the older headline was best: "Lionel collector gets ultimate prize" or something to that effect. I always wanted to see CarRail.
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
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