Longtime forum member, former C&NW/UP employee, author, resident rolling stock expert, good friend and really nice guy Carl Shaver, known here as CShaveRR, has passed away after a long battle with cancer.
Carchaeologist by Chris May, on Flickr
Carl was one of the first forum members that I met in person after meeting him here on the forum. Over the years we had the opportunity to spend much more time together, mostly here in Illinois but also when he visited Colorado while I was living there. The picture above was taken at the Colorado Railroad Museum back in 2007. It shows Carl in his element, looking at rolling stock. One of things I'll always remember about Carl was just how carefully he watched the "rest" of the train after the locomotives had passed. The first time I saw a manifest pass us at Elmhurst, I was ready to chat up something about the locomotive consist as soon as it was by us until I saw him watching the rest of the train with profound focus ready to make notes on his pad about anything he saw. This lesson not only taught me that railfanning has so many different appeals for different people but it also taught me to look at railroading in new ways for my photography.
Many of our visits involved dining and Carl knew all the best places for both a good meal *and* a good view of the tracks. The waitstaff at some restaurants like Two Brothers in Italy in Elmhurst were so accustomed to his request for a seat with a view of the tracks that he didn't even have to ask when he and Pat showed up. And this knowledge extended well beyond the Chicagoland area. I remember when I traveled to the Grand Canyon and he learned about the route I was planning to take, he gave me a restaurant recommendation in Gallup, NM of all places!
Carl is survived by his wife of 48 years, Pat and his daughter Ellen. He was preceded in death by his daughter Linda, who was also "assasinated" by cancer (her wording from her obituary). Please keep his family and his very large circle of friends in your thoughts. I'll be sure to post the obituary here when it shows up online.
So long, Carl. Thank you for many very fond memories, a lot of excellent lessons and a wonderful friendship. Say hello to Mookie, Ed, and all the rest of our friends who have already made the journey to the other side. May the trip be filled with lots of trains along the way. Highball!
-ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams
That's really sad. Carl was so knowledgeable and also such a friendly guide to the daily workings of the rails, especially his beloved C&NW. He will be missed.
My sincerest sympathies. The Trains Forum loses another constant.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
This is truly tragic, losing a fine man with a wealth of knowledge.
Chris, if they want a obituary for him they should just use your posting, he couldn't have asked for a better one!
Rest easy on the "Night Train" Carl.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Having recently turned 90. I have to consider each additional day of a useful and basically happy life as a real gift from the Eternal. I admire Carl for battling bhius illness for such a long time. I believe that the Sprit of the Righteous is eternal, and think that Carl somehow still reads these Forums.
Thoughts and prayers to his entire family.
I second Flintlock's comments on your post Chris, well done.
He taught me to appreciate the train as well as the power.
Who is there as knowledgeable about cars as he was?
Rats. Just... rats.
Rest in peace, Carl.
IMG_2028 by Brian Hanel, on Flickr" alt="" />hpublic/
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
This means that I'll never get the chance to meet him. I always kept an eye open for him whenever I spent a day at Elmhurst exercising my Canon A-1.
May he rest in peace. Carl will be missed here.
Still in training.
I was fortunate enough to meet Carl on one of my trips to the Midwest. Pat brought him to Rochelle, where we watched trains and chatted for a while, then I got a narrated tour of our trip back into Carl's neighborhood. Pat met us for lunch - I forget where, but, yes, with a view of the tracks.
Carl also suggested a motel on the way to Rochelle which could have offered a view of the tracks, but those rooms weren't available. Full service!
I was also fortunate enough to have Carl and Pat visit the Adirondack Railroad one fall. We were doing our Pumpkin Trains, and I was busy with the "Punkin Patch," so I wasn't able to spend as much time as I would have liked with them.
By coincidence, however, a local arts center had an exhibit of quilts, which is something long-time members of the forum will recall is a love of Pat's. So I left the Punkin Patch in capable hands and spent some time in town with Carl and Pat. And I got Carl on the locomotive for the return trip from the Patch to Thendara, where they caught the train back to Utica.
Good times.
As they say - he will be missed.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
From another that had the pleasure of meeting Carl (& Pat) here in Denver and Chicago, he was a one of a kind...
I can just imagine the conversations now going on upstairs with Mookie, Ed, Johnny and Carl.
He will be sorely missed.
Mud & BossHen(Pat)
Rest In Peace Carl. You will be missed.
I always enjoyed his stories. RIP, he will be missed.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Mentor,Author,Friend.Watched Matt grow up over the years. Alot of fries were consumed.One of the quilt designs of Pats came from Marion Ohio's Union Station.On one of our visits to Rochelle the "train rooms" were available in Dekalb.I even found a book he helped author and have his signature as well.Yes the conversations with Mookie and Ed would be quite entertaining.Peace,Love Hugs cancer sucks.
stay safe
Joe
Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Not much I could add to the story of Carl Shaver ( and his bride, Pat ) We never got to 'shake', but over time we had a nuimber of 'meetings'... We were able to communicate via P.M.s here, on the FORUM, and via Facebook.
Carl was always hepful to me, the rookie railfan; over time, he gave me insights into to new ways to look at trains... As others have mentioned, to look at the train.... after the power had passed. I think it was mentioned by another here; Carl is probably calling that meeting together, of our other friends; who have also passed, to order now.,
God Bless 'em. R.I.P. , Sure miss each one.
As Overmod said, "RATS, just RATS" I live less than three miles from Carl's home and never got to meet him. At 86, I don't have the mobility I used to have. So I procrastinated. Loved his posts and knowing his stomping grounds, I could really relate to what he posted. And yes, He will be missed.
Sorry to hear about Carl's passing, found his posts to be well worth reading and will miss him.
Most days I'm happy to check into the forum, but today is not one of those days.
Other than a PM conversation or two, I didn't meet Carl, but I certainly enjoyed his postings. I was concerned when the cancer showed up, but it seemed like he had a good handle on it for a while, but sometimes that handle gets kind of slippery and we lose a friend or family member.
I'm just glad I had the chance to share in Carl's observations and recollections, because they made many days better for me. I am pretty sure I am one of many who feel that way.
I'm not really part of the gang here, but I do appreciate all of you, and I am saddened to learn that one of your own has slipped. It's a weird pleasure reading all of your good wishes and fondnesses. We should all be so fondly remembered when our time comes.
There is as old Latin aphorism; De mortuis, nil nisi bonum.
"Of the dead, say nothing but good." For Carl, that was easy.
RIP, and I offer my condolences to the many people he left behind.
So sorry to hear the news. I also had the pleasure of meeting Carl and his lovley wife Pat. Got to spend a day on hill 582 (Cajon) with them. It was truly an honor to play host for the day. I alway hoped I'd get the chance to see him again on his turf. Now I live near Chicago and am finding some free time to explore.....Too bad.
I have been on this forum almost 20 years and have met dozens of forum members in person and I can easily say meeting Carl and Pat was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had. He will definately be missed. God bless Pat and the rest of the family.
It should be noted that even though Carl gave us a more-or-less blow by blow of his condition, he remained upbeat to the end, still going trackside when he could, and still taking notebooks full of notes.
Condolences to his family, and all who personally knew CShaveRR...
The family has announced Carl's Memorial Service.It will be Saturday April 2nd at 2 pm Central time.It will be at The First United Methodist Church In Lombard Illinois.They are going to try and live stream the service as well.Will keep you posted.
Found the funeral home obituary for Carl here. Honestly, three months haven't done anything to lessen my sadness.
I was unaware of his passing.
What a guy! Met him here in NW Indiana (and his quilting wife!) and one time he invited me up into the tower at Proviso where I watched him manage the hump and give quite a lesson on yards.
Ed
MP173 I was unaware of his passing.
You could tell by reading his posts what a gentleman he was. May all your signals be green.
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