He was the last Founding Member
of our Club. Since 1977, Ralph
epitomized the best in our
Members. Serving in many
capacities for almost 45 years,
he was the keeper of the club
spirit and memories.
Obituary
His son Ralph writes:
I remember Dad
setting up our
first LGB train
in the house - a
starter set - in
late 1977. I
was five and
enjoyed watching
the train go
around and under
our coffee table
in the living
room. That was
the beginning of
an over
forty-year love
affair with
G-scale trains
that my Dad had.
He loved the
LGBMRRC/BTOC,
and it showed
with all of the
club offices he
held and the
activities he
participated in.
He attended
every club
convention up
through 2019,
and always
enjoyed renewing
the many
friendships he
had with other
club members.
The club was a
second family to
him.
My home in
Little Rock is
very close to
the city’s train
station. When
Mary, my
stepmother,
called me to let
me know that Dad
had passed away,
it was just
after 3:00 am.
While I was on
the phone with
her, Amtrak’s Texas
Eagle, blew its
whistle at the
station - it was
ready to leave
and continue on
its journey… I
can’t think
about that
without getting
chills, and I
also know that
there’s a new
G-scale layout
in Heaven and
Dad is
“Havin’
Fun Runnin’
Trains".
Our President,
Charles Bartel
writes:
I met Ralph at
my first
convention when
I attended his
clinic, a slide
show of early
club activity.
I was new to the
club, having
joined at the
urging of a
local railroad
club member. I
knew nothing
about the BTO,
it’s origins or
early
activities. His
presentation
with his
commentary was
wonderful.
Others in the
room were older
members and it
was obvious that
Ralph was
presenting
slides that
evoked good
memories of past
conventions.
I enjoyed the
Club and ran for
Secretary. I
learned that
Ralph had put
together what is
referred to as
the Red Book.
There are three
copies, passed
on from term to
term, detailing
the history of
the club from
it’s inception.
It took a great
effort to put
this book
together and
will help
current and
possibly future
officers to
understand how
the club has
operated in the
past and changes
that have been
made over time
as necessary.
Since my first clinic with Ralph, I have requsted
other
presentations on
the club
history. He
never failed to
provide a
different view
with additional
information.
We will miss
these
presentations.
Ralph has been
an emeritus
director serving
on the Board of
Directors and
through this
position has
continued to
provide valued
support to the
club.
