Last Runs

Summer 2002
Volume 109 - No. 2

Last Runs

Longest serving member of Division 171 retires

Brother William G. Davidson of BLE Division 171 (Hoboken, N.J.) made his last run on January 4, 2002, for New Jersey Transit between Hoboken and Gladston, N.J.

Brother Davidson began his railroad career in 1943 as an engine wiper for the Erie Railroad in Jersey City, N.J. He went firing for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad in 1946 and was promoted to locomotive engineer in 1953.

He was longest serving active member of Division 171. He joined Division 171 in 1959, and served as that Division's secretary-treasurer from 1981-1993. Brother Davidson's retirement was featured in many local newspapers because of his long service to the railroad.

Brother Davidson and his wife Mary Ann have been married since 1981. He has three children, William, Madeline and Barbara, and four step-children, Jamie Kinsel, Cary Collins, Lucy Collins and Reid Collins Jr. Together the couple has 15 grandchildren.

In his free time, Brother Davidson enjoys doing anything involving railroading, including shows, collecting, layouts in the basement and the Madison Historical Society.

He plans to see many railroad museums and steam engines throughout the U.S. and the United Kingdom during his retirement.

The Davidsons live at: 319 Woodland Road, Madison, N.J. 07940.

Photo caption: Brother Davidson at the throttle for his last run.

DePoy leaves with family tradition alive and well

Following in his family's footsteps, Brother R.H. DePoy of BLE Division 348 (Elkhart, Ind.) made a life for himself and his family by working for the railroad. On March 30, 2002, he made his last run.

Four generations of the DePoy family have worked in the rail industry - Brother DePoy, his father, grandfather and his great-grandfather. Brother DePoy continued this tradition when he began working as a fireman for the Penn Central in 1968. This tradition is expected to continue now that his son-in-law has started working in the industry.

DePoy was promoted to the position of locomotive engineer by Conrail in 1978. He joined BLE Division 300 in 1976 and transferred to Division 348 in 2001. He was recognized with several safety awards throughout his career.

Brother DePoy married his wife Cindy in 1998. During retirement, the couple plans to take short trips hunting for antiques. DePoy is a huge Notre Dame fan and lives in a town about six miles from the famous University.

The DePoys live at: 247 Owens St., Niles, Mich. 49120.

Former Division 221 Local Chairman Nave retires

On January 17, 2002, Brother Larry E. Nave of BLE Division 348 (Elkhart, Ind.) made his last run from Marion, Ind. to Indianapolis.

Brother Nave went firing on Sept.. 15, 1964 in Huntington, Ind. on the Erie Lackawana Railroad. He was promoted to engineer on July 30, 1969 and joined the BLE in 1971.

During his time as a BLE member, he served as local chairman of Division 221 from 1995-2000 and secretary-treasurer from 1976-2000.

Brother Nave and his wife of 41 years, Katherine, have three children (Penny, Timothy and Anthony), four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

During his retirement, he plans to keep up with his hobbies of camping, fishing, woodworking and farming, along with traveling.

The Naves reside at: 3039 W. Division Road, Huntington, Ind. 46750.

Horn thanks fellow members for work on Railroad Retirement

Brother Roger Horn of BLE Division 778 (Des Moines, Iowa) retired in February 2002 working for Union Pacific.

In 1965, Brother Horn began his railroad career in St. Joseph, Mo., as a clerk operator for the Chicago Great Western Railroad. He entered engine service in 1978 and joined the BLE. He was promoted to locomotive engineer in January 1979 while working in Kansas City. He took an assignment on the east-west main line at Boone, Iowa, in 1991 and worked there until his retirement.

Roger and his wife Deanna plan to move from Clive, Iowa, to Charlotte, N.C., in order to be closer to their family. The couple has four children and three grandchildren. During their retirement, the Horns plan to travel and spend time with loved ones.

Brother Horn thanked the BLE and its members for their effort to pass the Railroad Retirement reform legislation, which afforded him the opportunity to enjoy an early retirement, and he thanked his coworkers for their many years of friendship.

The Horns live at: 215 N.W. 149th St., Clive, Iowa 50325.

Schmidtendorff plans to build race cars during retirement

Brother D.L. Schmidtendorff of BLE Division 348 (Elkhart, Ind.) made his last run on Dec. 12, 2001.

In 1966, Brother Schmidtendorff began his railroad career as a fireman on the New York Central Railroad.

He was promoted to engineer in September 1969 and joined BLE Division 300 in 1998. He transferred to Division 348 in 2001.

Brother Schmidtendorff and his wife, Bonnie, have been married since 1960. The couple has two children, Lori and Jamie, and two grandchildren.

During his retirement, Schmidtendorff plans to build and race circle track race cars.

Brother Schmidtendorff would like to hear from fellow railroaders. He welcomes letters at: 14754 Harvey St., Vandalia, Mich. 49095.

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