We cross paths with a lot of people in our lives even if it is only on the internet. Bob gave good advice to many of us over the years and I feel fortunate to have received some of that advice.
My condolences to all that were close to him.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I just opened this thread and this was a shocker. It seems to me had been posting fairly recently. He had strong opinions and I always enjoyed reading what he had to say even when I didn't agree with him. He will be missed.
My deepest sympathy to all who knew, admired and loved him. He will be missed. His words inspired me to try the gleem method, giving me countless hours to do something more productive than cleaning track.
Bob, now that you've marked up on The Final Callboard, be ready for action. Heaven has lots of trains to move, and they're a full crew place.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with ideas from CMR Products)
Oh, that's a bummer. I liked Bob's PASSION and how he would CAPITALIZE lots of WORDS just to let us know how he FELT. Hearing that he had been a machinist like me makes me think all the more of him. Well, HAPPY TRAILS Bob, and I hope you know you're missed by all. I guess his passing is a warning to us all that life can end suddenly. Enjoy it.
Lou
Hello all,
I was one of Bob's regular operators and he was a wealth of knowledge. Our local members have lost both of our founding fathers since Christmas. Randy not sure if you realized, but if you were at the Cranberry Mall show, I'm sure you met Rich Steiner. He passed away while dismantling the display's at the mall show. As a group we were dismayed and we were concerned how Bob would react. He made the decision early on that he was going to keep the Clarion Model Railroad club in operation and the I-80 group active. One of Bob's last emails was sent March 24h at 9:36 AM to remind the I-80 Group members of an ops session in Erie PA that weekend.
Thankfully we're a resilient bunch and we plan to carry on. Currently both of Bob's adult sons plan on keeping the Conrail Low-Grade, and the various shorlines that interchange with Conrail, in opertation. I'm pretty sure if Bob has given you an invite to stop on a Thursday night, that offer still stands. I know Bob had some "heated" conversations with some on using the pin system and some of his other beliefs, but he held those because his goal was to get has many interested in the happy and have fun at operations! My proudest memory of Bob was his presenting a certificate to one of his youngest members after an OPTUD. I believe he's around 10 or twelve and he actually operated in excess of 12 hours! Bob was that kind of person. He will be missed....
Yes, I met Rich just this year while talking to Bob. I did not know that he also passed away.
This year was also the first time I became familiar with Bob's pin system. He mentioned it while we were talking and at first it sounded too much like Ed Ravenscroft's tack thing, which is just too visible to me - the club I belonged to many years ago initially went with Rail-Lynx IR control, and guys were drilling out the center of their radiator fans on diesels to locate the IR sensor for decent response, and no way was I going to mutilate my models that way. So Bob took me over to the HO layout and showed me some cars that were set up for the pin system - and wow, it does what the tack system does without having to mutilate anything! I may actually give it a try once I get a layout up and running - reading car numbers is not super easy for me now that I have bifocals unless I build the entire layout at chin height.
Like I said, Bob could sometimes come off as a bit of a curmudgeon, but in truth he was easy to talk to and very passionate about the hobby. I am very much an introvert and don;t go out of my way to meet people but a few years ago I noticed Bob with his name tag on and, while in an decent sized group there could be more than one guy named Bob, I took a chance and introduced myself, having previously been involved in conversations with him here. Glad I had the chance to know him in person as well as virtually, even if it was only once a year.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I am so sorry to hear this. I knew his name from long time ago and always sad to see one catch the final westbound. I wish my best to his family in thoughts and prayers. And for those knew him well, my sincere sympathies.
Best Regards, Big John
Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona. Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the Kiva Valley Railway