Regrettable, I confirmed the news that former club member Bob Brockel passed away last November 29, 2021. An avid modeler of Union Pacific Bob had joined the club in 2000 and was a regular member until 2010 when he retired from Ball Aerospace in Boulder, Colorado.

A couple of us had taken a lunch break from our club work session on the June 25, 2022, we had stopped by the Youth In Model Railroading (YMR) train shop in Westminster to rummage through their model train donations they sell and we found several items with Bob’s name on them leading us to worry about Bob.  I first tried his cell phone, and it was out of service, Sunday the 26th I was able to have a conversation over Facebook with his neighbors Jay & LaDene and I was able to confirm Bob’s passing last November.  LaDene also confirmed that all his trains had been donated to the YMR.

It had been a couple of years since I talked with Bob but the last time, we spoke he seemed to be really enjoying his retirement, working on his house, and enjoying all his friends and favorite haunts. I was told Bob’s remains were cremated and there was no service according to the neighbor.  Bob is survived by a brother who lived in Seattle, Washington. Kudos to his neighbors for caring for Bob all these years and helping the family take care of his estate.

Another bit of sad news for the club as we’ve now lost two alumni of the club in 2021. Bob’s passing came just one day after losing Gene Schilling, another former club member to cancer.  Maybe they’ve met up with John Lewin (who passed in 2015) and all three are playing trains on the other side.  Until we meet again my friend, RIP Bob.

Brent