Re: Passing of Bob Shank, Sr.

Bob Shank Sr. will be missed by many - in the narrow gauge relm and beyond. Yes, he instilled the love on NG railroading in his sons, and was known as a hobby shop owner at the hub of the Colorado NG world. But this board should know he was more than that.

I had the great pleasure of knowing Bob through an old mutual friend in Durango. I looked forward to and cherished every visit. On several four-wheel drive trips with him through the environs of Ophir, Ames, Alamosa, Rico, Silverton, Eureka, Animas Forks and elsewhere, Bob Sr. was a fantastic tour guide. He had a great historical knowledge of these areas, he'd seen it all.

As a historian, Bob Sr. was there to see first hand, and photograph, the last stages of the demise of the RGS in the '50s. He has numerous photo credits in the well-known, 12-volume Sundance series on the RGS, and was an Editorial Consultant on 4 of the 12 volumes.

Bob Sr. was very talented and award winning modeler. He entered many models at National Narrow Gauge Conventions, and photos of his models, in Sn3 and On3, appeared in the model mags. I've also seen models he built for others - all contest quality.

He hosted and organized two National Narrow Gauge Conventions in Durango. Bob Sr. was a friend and colleague with the icons on of Colo. NG historians - Richardson, Kindig, and others.

I feel that my generation (baby boomer) is the last to have precious and fleeting contact with those that really saw, heard, and knew first hand the era of the narrow gauge. Boys - we've seen another one auger in. Their kind cannot be replaced.

Bob of AZ