In Memoriam

CHUCK YUNGKURTH

Chuck Yungkurth recently passed away in Boulder, Colorado.  He was an accomplished modeler, historian, author and designer.   For years, readers of Railroad Model Craftsman were used to seeing Chuck’s drawings or articles on anthracite railroads. Born and raised in Scranton, PA, he grew up surrounded by anthracite railroads Delaware and Hudson, Lackawanna, Erie and a few others.   Anthracite mines were a common sight in the Scranton skyline in those days.  He observed a great deal and later used his knowledge to enrich his many articles and books . . . the railroad hobby has lost an accomplished gentleman who did a lot to further prototype modeling. 

Photo & text courtesy Gene's P48 Blog

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From Rex Beistle , NMRA RMR Estes Valley Division

I am very sorry to be writing this, but my father Chuck Yungkurth passed away on Saturday. 

He'd been losing weight and generally not thriving for a couple months. Between him being ultra-stoic and me traveling a lot in March, his fairly dire situation didn't become apparent to any of us until he was sent to the ER the week after Easter, after collapsing at home. Before I could really get to the bottom of what his problem was his health had declined so fast that the last time he went to the ER (last Monday) the doctor said he wouldn't survive heroic measures. We are all still in shock from this past week. 

He went into hospice on Wednesday and passed away on Saturday after I'm glad to say were peaceful last days with all his kids and the eldest grandkids having been with him. 

If you could spread the word along to friends/colleagues you might know in the railroad community we'd appreciate that. We're going to have a memorial gathering here in Colorado (hopefully at the Colorado RR Museum where he worked as a volunteer in their research library) in a month or two and I'll let you know the details. 

Best regards, 

Karen Y. Gerhardt

From RMR-NMRA Yahoo group 

SARAH MILLER

For those of this group that know Duane & JoAnna Miller at Caboose Hobbies, be advised that their daughter Sarah passed away Friday afternoon, June 17, 2016. 

If any are so disposed, a card to Duane & JoAnna Miller c/o Caboose Hobbies would help them deal with the loss of their daughter.

Rex Beistle, RMR Estes Valley Division

ROBERT (BOB) STULL

Bob Stull passed away Sunday, July 17th. Bob was a Charter Member and long-time active member of the Rocky Mountain Region. Over the years, he served in about every official position within the Region.

He was present when the NMRA commissioned the RMR and often told the story of the first two divisions formed. This was at an NMRA convention in the Colorado Springs area in 1949. Immediately after the NMRA action, two separate groups of members went into conference to decide if they wanted to have a division. The Pikes Peak group beat the Denver group by five minutes, forming the first division.

Bob served as Region Historian until 1999, using his memory as well as documentation to answer questions about our history.

When we closed out the 1991 National Convention here in Denver, the RMR had a sizable treasury for the first time. Bob served on an appointed committee to recommend rules and procedures for controlling this large sum. With careful handling, following the committee’s recommendations, we still have a safe operating fund.

Bob was an O-Scale modeler with a large layout built around the mining industry. My first introduction to him was as part of a committee to review and re-write our Constitution and By-Laws in 1980.

Dick Hunter