Bob H (“cmrproducts”) passed away 3/24. I knew Bob from this forum and some of the other model railroad groups like the Digitrax Yahoo group, and part of the visit the family over the holidays time allowed me to meet Bob in person at the annual show his club put on at the Cranberry mall. Just this past Christmas he said I should have let him know when we were coming out, he would have taken me down to see his layout.
–Randy
Randy,
That is sad news. My condolences to those close to him here and to his family. He could be a bit cranky at times, because he was so passionate about operations, but he also had a lot to offer.
It’s another reminder to show you care to the ones you love around you everyday. There may not be a future occassion to do so.
I am very sad to learn of this! Bob was a regular here, especially in my earlier years on this forum. I believe he was an avid proponent of the Gleam method of track maintenance along with our recently late friend Jeffrey Wimberley.
RIP, and may all the turnouts be lined in your path, Bob.
In case some of his loved ones might be looking in, please accept my condolences.
-Crandell
Bob was posting his typical thoughtful replies to Forum topics up to just a few days ago - this is surprising and sad news.
I found this online obituary:
Robert E. “Bob” Hartle, 67, of Miola, died Tuesday, March 24, 2015. Born March 25, 1947, in Brookville PA, he was the son of the late Bernard and Avalee (Passauer) Hartle. He was a 1965 graduate of North Clarion High School and attended Vale Tech in Blairsville PA. He was married June 30, 1973 to Darlene L. Pfendler, who survives.
Bob served in the US Army during the Vietnam War, providing satellite communications, serving in Okinawa. He worked as a Machinist, and later as Quality Control at Castle Homes, Knox PA.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, Clarion. He was a long-time member of the Clarion Model Railroad Club, and an avid model railroader for his entire life. Surviving in addition to his wife Darlene, are his two sons; Aric Hartle and wife Kristen, of Harrisville, Bryan Hartle and wife Jamie, of Slippery Rock, a very special niece, Melissa Allio Johnson, and her husband Glen, of Holbrook, NY, six grandchildren; Alysa Hartle, Ellie Hartle, Cameron Hartle, Janelle Hartle, Cody Hartle, and Connor Johnson. Also surviving are his sister Sharyn Simpson, and husband Lanny; his brother Donald Hartle and wife Terry;
He was preceded in death by his parents. The family suggests memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association (
This is sad and upsetting news to me as well. Just last night I was responding to a post about using transmission fluid as a “treatment” for rail conductivity and while I was typing I thought to myself that soon, Bob H. will certainly be chiming in here as he was very experienced in the area of track maintenance.
I’ll miss his posts and his sharing of knowledge.
I hope that his family and friends will find comfort in knowing that Bob’s memory and legacy will be held in high regard with the fellow forum members here…
My Condolences, Ed
Very sad news. And from our limited view, very sudden. Bob indeed had a wealth of knowledge.
My deepest condolences to his family.
Truly sad new’s indeed. Very likable person, knowledgeable and compationable. Thoughts and prayers, to His family.
Makes me wonder why all these people passing younger than I…
Take Care! [:D]
Frank
I knew Bob H from over at the RCGroups forum. He was also a very talendted builder of R/C Model airplanes. Sad new, indeed!
This is so very sad. I didnt know Bob like most of you. I would like to say this…
I only knew Bob from this forum. And only recently. On my coupler thread Bob had made a few mentions, posed a couple good things to think about, and ultimately, even if he didnt know it, he helped indirectly with some of its re-designing. Because of his good ideas.
Bob must have been that much into operation as you folks say he was. He certainly mentioned it, and I tried to accomodate. I think he would have liked my results. And because of him, everytime i use them now i am sure i will think of him.
I wanted my project to benefit ALL modellers. However, I think that when i am able to return to my project (still unfinished), I would like to dedicate it to his memory.
I think its the least I can do for such a nice guy i never met, who helped me without hesitation or being asked. Even if he didnt realize he was doing it. THAT, is a modellers modeller! Im sorry i didnt get to know him better. My sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and the club he loved so much.
Very sad news indeed. Thank You Dave for posting his Obit.
In sadness and heavy heart,
Douglas C.
PM Railfan
My condolences to his family.
I always enjoyed his posts. He will be missed.
Paul
Very sad news…My condolences to his family and friends…
Wow, very surprised to hear the sad news.
Bob posted on this forum a fair amount and was always issuing invitations to members to visit his layout.
He was also a proponent of the Metal Polish method of cleaning track.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/244745.aspx?page=1
He will be missed.
Rich
Sad news indeed!
Bob was a strong advocate for realistic operations on our layouts and, deriving from his posts, a straight forward person. He added a lot of value to this forum.
He will certainly be missed!
Condolences to his family.
AS I would for anyone in the Diner Thread, I have lit a candle for his passing.
[8-|]
Sadly, a lot of us are getting to the age where we are losing loved ones, friends and family. I’d like to add my condolences to his friends and family.
Often, death can come unexpectedly. Does anyone know if Bob was experiencing medical problems?
To his credit, he never complained publicly on this forum about his health.
Rich
From talking to him, I knew he had some heart issues, but he lost a lot of weight at the direction of his doctors and was eating healthy and around Christmas when I last met with him, he seemed to be in fine health. From the post of another member of the Clarion club, apparantly his wife found him unresponsive in the basement where he was likely preparing his layout for an upcoming op session.
I know he mentioned it a few times, but never in full detail, but prior to retirement, Bob worked for one of the large mobile home manufacturers in the area. Using his knowledge, he had a large basement built with steel beams on top, and custom designed a 28x80 double wide to sit on top and cover the hole, giving him a huge space to build a layout. He had a photo album he always had at the show which mostly had shots of the scratchbuilt sctructures he made for the layout, but he did show me some pictures of getting the house in place - they had a few interesting moments, imagine something 80 feet long (plus the tongue and truck pulling it) and not enough of a grade transition. All worked out int he end. Though I only ever saw it in picture, the layout was pretty amazing. The structures he was making were exact duplicates, some still stand, others he just worked from historical pictures, but the album contained botht he protoype photos and the finished models, and they were something else. At the show he’d always be working on the next one. In between talking with people, he’d glue on a wall, or roof, or some details, weight it down, and wait for the joint to set up.
–Randy
Thanks, Randy.
Do you have a link to photos of his layout?
Rich
Yes, very sad news, his family will be in my prayers.
Sheldon
Sorry to read of fellow forum member and machinist Bob H’s passing. My condolences.
Peter