I attended the TCA Western Division meet today in Arcadia, California and learned that long time member and friend, Tom Hess, has passed away. He died suddenly about July 9th from what I was told. He had been a member of TCA since 1975 and was very knowledgeable about prewar and postwar trains. He was friendly to everyone, old timers and newcomers alike. He was kind to children attending train meets, even buying them raffle tickets I’m told so they could have a chance to win something. It was a shock to all of us who knew him and he will be sorely missed by TCA Western Division. Ray
It sounds as though the train world has lost a great man, I can tell by your post that you hold him in high honor.
And to have a man be so kind too children tells so much about his Spirit, I do not know this man but I can feel the sadness of many.
You honor him in your memorial here and I thank you for letting us know.
Jess Red Horse.
Sorry to hear that.
I am very sad to hear that, he seems to be a person that will shine on in what this hobby is about. We now have some big shoes to fill. We have lost quite a few people here in the Michigan area as well. I still long for the Sunday when my Dad and I would go to the train show after church, the layouts, the friends, and the trains…lost forever but never forgotten.
Remember the trains you will leave behind but the memories you will hold forever.