Anybody here met Russ Larson?

Other than you people who work for Kalmbach, I mean.

I have a memory of Russ. Back in the late 80’s - when I was looking at colleges, I went and looked at Marquette in Milwaukee. While I was there, I stopped by the old Kalmbach offices in downtown Milwaukee for a tour.

Someone comes out of an office to meet me, and - HEY - it’s Russ!

I was very surprised. Here I was, 17 or 18, and the editor (I believe he was, at the time) of MR comes out to personally give me a tour of the building.

It’s kind of a blur now, but I remember seeing some of the project RRs, a large room with thousands upon thousands of back issues stacked on tables, and, of course, the MR&T railroad.

I remember seeing scenes on that railroad (and the project railroads) that had appeared in the magazine in previous months.

I’m sure Russ doesn’t remember me, but I remember the kindness and patience of a busy man who took an hour out of his day to show a kid around.

Good luck in your retirement, Russ!

You deserve all the best.

Rob Johnson