Live Steam Obituaries

If you know of someone in the hobby who has passed away, send me the information so that others in the hobby can be informed. If you have a picture, eMail a copy so I can post it with the information.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord!

April 14, 2007 + Jack Emerick Lucks +

October 26, 2007 + Ed Loomie +

September 27, 2007 + Ray Pennell +

September 14, 2007 + Scott Cliborn +

August 6, 2007 + Bill Morewood +

June 28, 2007 + Don Hills +

July 9, 2004 + Sam McKim +

March 31, 2004 + Arn Granheim +

May 22, 2003 + Henry L. Bloch +

April 29, 2002 + Jack Newcombe +

August 18, 2001 + Jack Miller, Jr. +

March 12, 2001 + Charles Smith +

February 4, 2001 + George Murry +

April 14, 2007 + Jack Emerick Lucks+ (updated: 2/5/07)

Jack Emerick Lucks, 1918 - 2007

The live steam fraternity lost one of the hobby's most revered members when Jack Lucks passed away peacefully at his home in Ft. Worth, Texas on April 14, 2007 at the age of 89.

Jack was born in February 1918 in Spokane, Washington. He grew up in southern California where he met and married his beloved Shirley. During his long career he worked on movie sets, both behind the scenes and occasionally as an extra, he was a licensed radio officer on merchants ships before WWII, during and after the war he worked at Consolidated Aircraft, which later became General Dynamics. One of the many jobs he had at Consolidated was as a pilot delivering newly completed aircraft to the military. His fascination with trains, big and small, was most likely based on the years he lived close to the Southern Pacific mainline in California. That fascination would remain with him for the rest of his life.

Jack was a stalwart in live steam in Texas. He was a major contributor to building and maintaining many of the prominent Texas tracks including Terry McGrath's Annetta Valley and Western, David Hannah's Browning, Ed Leatherwood's Dublin and Rio Grande, Roy Pickard's Comanche and Indian Gap, and Jack Haskin's Able Springs and North Texas. He was a charter member of the Annetta Valley and Western Railroad Club and active member of Southwestern Live Steamers and the Houston Area Live Steamers. He traveled with his trains all over the country and was widely known as truly a gentleman, always ready to help.

Jack often outworked those a generation or more younger than he and his knowledge and expertise were vast. He was always ready to jump in and help with any problem, big or small, and he worked at it until it was fixed. His wide smile, quick wit, and down home attitude of get it done will be greatly missed. (Submitted by Bill Laird, Annetta Valley and Western Railroad)

April 14, 2007 + Ed Loomie+ (updated: 02/05/08)

Edward R. Esq. on October 26th, 2007 of Seaford. Beloved husband of the late Catherine. Loving father of Christine C. and Paul E. Also survived by his cherished grandchildren Kyle E. and Meghan. Reposing at the Charles G. Schmitt Funeral Home Inc., 3863 Merrick Road, Seaford (2 traffic lights East of Route 135). Mass of Christian Burial Monday 11am at St. William the Abbot R.C. Church, Seaford. Interment St. Charles Cemetery, hours Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 pm

September 27, 2007 + Ray Pennell+ (updated: 10/30/07)

Ray Pennell founder of Steam Age USA passed away on September 27, 2007.

September 14, 2007 + Scott Cliborn + (updated: 10/30/07)

Mr. Scott D. Cliborn a resident of Dracut, died unexpectedly, Friday, September 14th, aged 35 years.
Born in Lowell, on August 11, 1972, the son of Gary L. and Mary (Lee) Cliborn. Scott received his education in the Dracut School system and was a graduate of Dracut High School with the Class of 1990. He was a member of the National Honor Society, and was a member of the Dracut High Jazz Band, playing the Tuba and the Baritone Horn. He attended Syracuse University where he majored in music, played in the band, the Wind Ensemble, and Hendricks Chapel Choir. Music was his passion. Scott continued his studies at UMass Lowell where he was a member of the Fine Arts Chorale, The University Choir and the Gentleman’s Concorde.
Scott was a member of the Centraville United Methodist Church. He taught Vacation Bible Study and was a member of the adult choir until recently. He was also a past member of the Polish-American Band.

Scott was an avid model railroader and belonged to the Northeast N’Trak Club. and the Metro West “O” Scale Club.

Though perhaps not familiar to many live steamers, Scott was a fixture around various prototype railroads, live steam meets and other New England model railroad clubs and events throughout the years (even after confinement to a wheelchair he was especially active in N and O scales) -- and many folks have been blessed to know him, his humility, and his inspirational desire to remain active in all facets of life.

Scott is survived by his parents, a sister, Susan Craib of West Palm Beach, Fla. and a nephew Dylan Craib also of West Palm Beach, Fla., an Aunt Barbara Cliborn of Kansas, and several cousins. He was the brother of the late Roy William Cliborn. He will be sadly missed by many dear friends.

August 6, 2007 + Bill Morewood+ (updated: 8/31/07)

William Henry Morewood (Bill), age 86, formerly of Pennington, NJ, died at Attleboro Nursing Center, Langhorne, PA on Monday, August 6, 2007.

Born in Rosemont, PA, May 15, 1921, Bill graduated from Haverford School (1939) and Cornell University (1943) with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He served in the US Navy as a Lieutenant from 1943 to 1946. Bill then began an engineering career highlighted by his efforts that introduced laser disk technology, precursor to the CDs and DVDs in use today. Taking early "retirement" from RCA Sarnoff Research in 1975, Bill designed and patented the Winsford Feeder, a machine that has granted almost 2,000 paralyzed individuals the freedom to feed them selves. An active member of NJ and PA Live Steam engine clubs, Bill’s hobby led him to author the book, "Building the Raritan." This publication and his magazine writings inspired hundreds of hobbyists, and Live Steam Magazine honored Bill with a national award to recognize his contribution in promoting the Live Steam hobby.

Son of the late Francis and Caroline Rhodes Morewood, brother of the late Elizabeth Evans, Bill is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Ruth D. Morewood; three children, John Morewood (Patti) of San Jose CA; Sharon Schley of Titusville NJ; Kristina Schvejda (Dennis) of North Haledon, NJ; and two grandsons, Brad Agius (Amanda) of Hampden, ME; Stephen Agius (Erin) of Unity ME; a niece and three nephews residing with their families in Canada.

An 11:00 Memorial Service, Saturday August 18, will be held at the Pennington Presbyterian Church, 13 South Main St., Pennington. Interment will be private in the Pennington Cemetery. There will be no calling hours.

Memorial contributions in Bill’s name me be made to the Salvation Army, Planned Giving Program, Box 160, Corning, NY 14830 or the Pennington Presbyterian Church, 13 S. Main St., Pennington, NJ 08534. For further information or to send a condolence, please visit www.wilsonapple.com.

June 28, 2007 + Donald G. Hills+ (updated: 8/31/07)

Donald G. Hills, 85, died Thursday, June 28, 2007, at Tufts New England Medical Center after complications from surgery. He was the husband of the late Elizabeth F. “Polly” (Jarvis) Hills, who died in 1978.
He was born in Everett, on Feb. 4, 1922, the son of the late Ralph S. and Eva (Houghton) Hills. Mr. Hills attended grade school in Everett until 1932 when the family moved to Reading, and graduated from Reading High School in 1940.
Mr. Hills worked for the Boston & Maine Railroad from November 1941 until his retirement in January of 1982, starting out as a ticket agent/telegrapher in the Reading station. He worked various ticket and freight agencies, as well as several signal towers around the Boston area before being promoted to train dispatcher in 1960.
He was a lifelong rail enthusiast, taking many photographs of trains and riding trains wherever and whenever he could. This culminated in a book of his photographs being published in 2005, something he was very proud of.
Mr. Hills was also a model railroader and was a member of the North Shore Model Railroad Club of Wakefield and a life member of the Waushakum Live Steamers of Holliston.
He is survived by two sons, Walter G. Hills and his wife, Patricia, of Danvers, and Wayne D. of Wilmington, with whom he lived from his retirement until his passing; his beloved granddaughter, Morgan Elizabeth Hills; and by many nieces and nephews.
He was also the brother of the late Henry Willard Hills, Eva Marie Styles, Ralph Chester Hills, Cecil Houghton Hills, and Wesley Oliver Hills.
“Last Train Home,” a celebration of the life and times of Donald G. Hills will be held for family and friends at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 21, at the Wilmington United Methodist Church, 87 Church St. (Route 62), Wilmington.
For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Hills memory may be made to the New England Division of the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 9119, Boston, MA 02117-9119.
Railfan friends may also wish to donate in Mr. Hills memory to the Flying Yankee Restoration Group, Inc., Paul Giblin, President, P.O. Box 145, North Woodstock, NH 03262.

July 9, 2004 + Sam McKim + (updated: 7/21/04)

Sam McKim, an artist who drew the first souvenir maps of Disneyland in 1954 and the preliminary sketches for many Disney theme park rides, has died at the age of 79. McKim was one of the first park designers who later became known as "Imagineers." He died July 9 of heart failure at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, The Walt Disney Co. said. McKim joined Disney in 1954 and his sketches inspired the designers of attractions, shops and restaurants for the original Disneyland. He also produced sketches of all four attractions Disney built for the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. His artwork contributed to the story development of several pavilions at Epcot at Walt Disney World in Florida. McKim, who was born in Canada on Dec. 20, 1924, started out as a child actor and auditioned for the voice of Pinocchio in the Disney film in the 1930s. He served in the Army in World War II and then in Korea, where he earned the Distinguished Service Cross and the Bronze Star. At Disney, he created souvenir maps for Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, two sons and two grandchildren. (AP)

March 31, 2004 + Arn Granheim + (updated: 6/22/04)

ARN GRANHEIM discovered the live steam hobby late in life.  After a long and distinguished career he retired as a LTC from the US Air Force.  During his military career he saw combat in WWII as a glider pilot in Europe and continued service in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.  After retirement he discovered model trains.  Like so many others of us in the hobby, he was involved in the smaller scales, N and G in Arn’s case, for many years.  In March of 2000 Arn attended his first live steam meet at the Southwest Live Steamers meet in Devine, TX.  He was immediately taken by the large enough to ride trains and by the friendliness and camaraderie of the SWLS group.  He was hooked!  From that day on the hobby became a passion in his life.  He purchased an RMI electric speeder and trailer car and set about to construct maintenance of way equipment to pull behind his speeder.  He successfully completed a self-contained power and light car and had many other ideas for MOW equipment in various stages of design.  Arn joined, and was an active member, of Southwest Live Steamers, Houston Area Live Steamers, Maricopa Live Steamers, and Train Mountain Railroad Museum.  When not traveling to meets, he stored his equipment at the Wimberley, Blanco & Southern RR where he was a frequent participant in work sessions. Arn passed away on March 31, 2004 after a courageous battle with cancer, he was 81 years of age.  He will be sincerely missed. (The picture is of Arn on his beloved speeder at a meet at the Annetta Valley & Western RR near Ft. Worth, TX).

Submitted by:
Bill Laird
Southwestern Live Steamers

May 22, 2003 + Henry L. Bloch + (updated: 6/10/03)

HENRY L. BLOCH, 56, of Ridgefield Park died Thursday, May 22. He had been a systems programmer for Fleet Bank. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of American Legion Post 40, Ridgefield Park. He was a parishioner of St. Francis R.C. Church, Ridgefield Park, where he served as an usher. He was a member of the New Jersey Live Steam Train Club and the Ridgefield Park Special Police, and was an adjutant and Web master for the Bergen County American Legion Organization. Arrangements: Vorhees Funeral Home, Ridgefield Park.

Hank was very active member of NJLS as the webmaster, elevated steaming bay chairman, Whistle Blast publisher, Associate Member dues collector and a tremendous help with the expansion of the elevated track.

Submitted by:
Ronald Henderson
New Jersey Live Steamers

April 28, 2002 + Jack Newcombe + (updated: 4/29/02)

Jack Newcombe of Goolwa South Australia, Australia past away yesterday he was 84 he was an honorary member of Waushakum Live Steamers and Pioneer Valley Live steamers he started in the hobby later in life, he helped build the Morphett Vale 71/4 Gauge club and was president for a while.
He built Two South Australian Railways engines a 4-8-4. 4-6-2 also two Stanier Black Fives, Pensy E-3 and a couple of Diesels as well, he will be missed by all at Waushakum for his whit and humor.

Submitted by:
Bob Newcombe (Jack's son)
President of Waushakum Live Steamers

August 18, 2001 + Jack Miller, Jr. + (updated: 8/27/01)

It is with a very heavy heart that I must report the very unexpected passing of Jack Miller Jr. Jack was very involved with the Independant Live Steamers and had recently taken on the job of editor for their Newsletter. I hope others will be better able to fill you in with details, I am still unable to deal with his tragic loss. We had only recently gotten to know each other, but I feel as though I have lost a lifelong friend. A member of the IBLS, he truly embodied the meaning of the word Brotherhood. Jack died at 3:30 AM Saturday the 18th.

Submitted by:
Keith Taylor
Secretary East Coast USA, International Brotherhood of Live Steamers

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I found the following information on Jack's personal website and thought that you would all like to know a little more about a fellow Live Steamer. - Fr. Jay Finelli 8/27/01

"My name is Jack Miller Jr, and I have been involved in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter since the age of 16. As soon as I was old enough, I joined the South Fork Volunteer Fire Dept, South Fork, PA in November 1971. My father and grandfather were both life members of the South Fork VFD.
After getting married, to Zola Garland of Portage in 1975, I moved to Portage in the same year. In November 1976, when I turned 21 years of age, I transferred my membership from South Fork VFD to the Portage VFD.  Since joining the Portage VFD, I have held the rank of ( at that time ) 2nd Lt, 1st Lt, and Capt. I am also a past President and Secretary of the Portage Volunteer Fire Dept. For the year 2000, I hold the rank of Lt. I am also the head advisor for the Explorer Post 583 of the Portage Volunteer Fire Dept. My oldest son, Jamie, is an active volunteer firefighter with Portage also. My younget son, Matthew, belongs to the Explorer Post, and he is one of the 11 charter members of the group. My grandson, Tristan is too young to join, being only 4, but he is very much on his way of following mine and his father's footsteps. In fact, if you ask him, he'll tell you, the rigs at the hall are his.
I guess my interests, railroading and firefighting, have alot to do with my past. My grandfather, Robert Parke Sr. was an engineer/fireman for the Conemaugh & Blacklick Railroad, a small line that worked Bethelehem Steel at it's Johnstown, PA plants, and I lived along the 4 track mainline of the Pennsylvania Railroad in South Fork, PA, and along the Western Maryland Railroad in Chambersburg, PA, while growing up. In 1974 I was hired by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad / Chessie System as a brakeman and later promoted to conductor, before being furloughed in 1982. I worked on the Pennsylvania Sub-division which extended from Cumberand, Md to New Castle, PA, although I worked mostly in the Johnstown, PA and Somerset, PA areas of the division.
After being furloughed, I went to the Municipal Police Training Academy at Johnstown Vo-Tech, Johnstown, PA. Upon graduated, I became a police/fire/ems dispatcher for the Mainline Police Ass'n in Ebensburg, PA. I since have worked for several area police departments as a part-time officer. About 1993 I was hired as a telecommunicator at Cambria County 9-1-1 for about 3-1/2 years. I returned to policing after leaving 9-1-1. During this time, I was active with the fire departments I belong to.
Thus, my interets in railroading and fire fighting. I have since left police work and am now in the private sector and guite active again with Portage VFD. I am also the local Forest Fire Warden for our fire department, in District 6 ( Blair, Cambria, & Indiana Counties ).
I am married, to a wonderful woman, Zola, for the past 25 years, and in addition to my two sons, and grandson, I have a daughter, Misty. I have been trying to get her involved in the Explorers, but she is not interested. Let's say when the alarm sounds, my wife and daughter stand clear of the door, for fear of getting run over with three of us trying to get out the door at the same time.
Enough about me, check out the pages and links connected with them below and enjoy your visit.
My father, Jack Miller Sr is an active member of the Independent Live Steamers, as you will see, when you check out the ILS pages. he is very much a Pennsylvania Railroad follower.
So you can see, railroading and firefighting are in my blood."

March 12, 2001 + Charles Smith +

Charles Smith 83 yrs.old. passed away March 12th. He was a member for many years at Waushakum he was known to operate the switch at the end of the yard at meets.
He worked for the B&M for 40 years in various jobs .

Submitted by:
Arhtur Butler, Waushakum Live Steamers

February 4, 2001 + George Murry +

It is with a very heavy heart that I must pass on the following. This past Sunday, Feb. 4th, 2001 saw the passing of one of the Live Steam hobby's pioneers. George Murray, at age 92 succumbed to illness that had plagued him most of his adult life. While many do not remember him these days, George was the publisher of the very first all Live Steam magazine in the USA. For two years, 1950 and 1951, George wrote published and edited, single-handedly, the magazine "The Live Steamer." He was an ardent modeler who had almost 100 locomotives pass through his shop. He had built entirely many locos, finished many that had been brought to him in buckets and did the final tuning and trouble shooting to countless others. His list of friends was a who's who of the hobby. The late L.B.S.C. (L. Lawrence) was a house guest of his. Carl Purinton, the founder of the IBLS and Bill Van Brocklin were among George's closest friends. George had written correspondence with literally hundreds all over the world. His interests included all scales from "0" and No. 1 gauges up to 7-1/4" gauge. He was particularly fond of the smaller gauges and was one of the few proponents of 1/2" scale 2-1/2" gaugeright up until his death. He was engaged in building a 3/4" scale model of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad's 999 at his passing. I, amongst his countless friends, will miss him greatly. Another of the Icons of our hobby has left us!

Sincerely, Keith Taylor
Secretary, East Coast USA Region IBLS