Last Runs

BLE Division 607 honors four recent retirees

At their regular monthly meeting on Nov. 12, 2001, the members of Division 607 (Cleveland) honored four recent retirees.

On behalf of the membership, Division 607 President C.A. "Bud" Ramkey presented each retiree with a pen and pencil desk set, which included a model locomotive of the railroad each retiree first hired out on, finished in the railroad's original paint scheme. The set also included an engraved plate with each retiree's hire and retire date.

In June of 1957, Brother D.J. (Donnie) Motsch hired on with the New York Central, which later became a part of the Penn Central and then Conrail. Brother Motsch joined BLE Division 3 on October 1, 1982. He ended his career on the Norfolk Southern - with more than 42 years of service - on yard assignment BR-15 at Rockport Yard on Jan. 31, 2000.

Brother Motsch lives at: 3336 Chelsea Dr., Cleveland Hts., Ohio 44118.

In February of 1969, Brother A.P. (Archie) Stewart hired on with the Penn Central (which later became part of Conrail) in Cleveland, and became a member of BLE Division 3 in October 1987. He retired from the Norfolk Southern on a road train from Elkhart, Ind., to Cleveland on Aug. 1, 2001, with over 32 years of service.

Brother Stewart lives at: P.O. Box 18645, Cleveland, Ohio 44118.

Brother R. K. (Rich) Fier started is rail career on the New York Central in June 1957 and joined the BLE 16 years later in 1973. With mergers, he became a part of the Penn Central, Conrail, and finished his career on Norfolk Southern yard switching assignment BR-13 at Rockport Yard on Sept. 10, 2001, with over 44 years of service.

Brother Fier lives at: 7287 Erie Dr., Mentor, Ohio 44060.

Brother R. M. (Dick) Daulbaugh hired on the Akron, Canton & Youngstown Railroad (AC&Y) in June of 1959. The line later became a part of the Norfolk and Western, and eventually Norfolk Southern. Brother Daulbaugh, who joined the BLE in 1994, enjoyed his last day working yard switching job BF-20 on Sept. 10, 2001, at the former Conrail Motor Yard in the Cleveland suburb of Walton Hills, ending a career of over 42 years.

Brother Daulbaugh lives at: 129 Woodsdale Dr., Mogadore, Ohio 44260.

BLE Division 607 would like to extend its congratulations to these members.

Photo captions: From Top: Brother Motsch (left) receives his locomotive from Brother Ramkey; Brother Stewart; Brother Fier holds his model locomotive; and Division 607 President Bud Ramkey, right, congratulates Brother Daulbaugh on his recent retirement from Norfolk Southern.

Honor Rolls

Armstrong celebrates 53 years of BLE membership

BLE Division 190 member Richard R. Armstrong celebrated 53 years of BLE membership in October of 2001.

Brother Armstrong began his railroad career as a fireman on the C&O Railroad in 1945. He was promoted to locomotive engineer on August 15, 1950. He joined BLE Division 828 on October 21, 1948, transferring to Division 190 (Huntington, W.Va.) on Sept. 30, 1949.

In the years since his retirement, Brother Armstrong has enjoyed church work, lodge work and frequent traveling. He is a member of the First Baptist Church in Elkton, Va. and several fraternal lodges.

Brother Armstrong, who was born on Christmas Day 1924, and his wife, Dorothy, were married on June 14, 1991. Armstrong has two children and five grandchildren.

The Armstrongs live at: 680 Confederacy Dr., Penn Laird, Va. 22846.

Former General Chairman Russ marks 53 years in the BLE

Former Milwaukee Road General Chairman Gordon H. Russ celebrated 53 years of membership in the BLE.

Brother Russ, a member of Division 892 (Seattle), joined the BLE on November 18, 1948 and served as a general chairman from 1957-1969.

He also served as the guide, chaplain, chief engineer and local chairman of Division 801. He was also a delegate to the 1956 Grand International Convention, and served on the Arrangements Committee at the 1966 GID Convention during his many years of BLE service.

In 1937, Russ, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, began his railroad career in Tacoma, Wash., as a hostler helper for the Milwaukee Road. He went firing for the Milwaukee Road on May 27, 1941, and was promoted to locomotive engineer on August 16, 1943.

His father, P.G. Russ, was also a locomotive engineer. His sons, William and Ronald, both work in the railroad industry. William works as a section hand-clerk and Ronald is the Chief Financial Officer of Wisconsin Central, Ltd.

Since his last run in 1984, Brother Russ has been participating in community arts and historical societies.

In addition to their two sons, Russ and his wife of 48 years, Mary, have two daughters, Susan and Janet, and eight grandchildren.

The Russ' live at: 8201 6th Ave., Apt. 364, Tacoma, Wash. 98406-8427.

Back to Spring 2002 Journal

© 2002 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers