In Memoriam Robert Heinlein

We regret to inform you that our old friend Bob Heinlein has died.  He had been in poor health for some time and this was not unexpected.  It is not easy to list all the ways in which he was important to the field of railway preservation in general and IRM in particular.

Bob (R) helping Richard with a controller

He started out early, and did a lot to document the last days of the CA&E before abandment.  We posted a collection of his pictures from that time:  CA&E Slides from the Heinlein Collection.  He also wrote up a roster of the surviving equipment for a CERA fantrip here.

He continued to be active in CERA and certainly at IRM.  For many years he was very active in the Car Dept., particularly as an expert with all mechanical and electrical systems on the cars.  I learned a lot from him, as did many others.  And of course he was always very friendly and outgoing. He will certainly be missed.

Receiving the IT Golden Key award in 2011 from Dale Jenkins(L)

UPDATE: Calling hours and a memorial service are planned for Tuesday, May 9th. Details here