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I am sad to report that I received word that Bob Heil passed away on Monday.  Bob was a frequent contributor to this forum.  More importantly, he was one of the most genuine people I have ever come to know.  His knowledge, passion for the hobby, and quick wit is a huge loss to our community and all he interacted with. 

Bob humbly and quietly brought so much to this hobby.  Those of you who knew him know he was a long-time consultant to Sunset models and helped bring many wonderful models to so many of us over the years.  He was a master modeler and ardent champion for the B&O and PRR modeling communities.  I will forever owe Bob a debt of gratitude as he introduced me to Scott Mann 15 years ago which personally has greatly enriched my knowledge, interest, and growth in this hobby. 

My favorite memories of Bob include the first time I met him in person with Scott to pick him up on the way to the York TCA meet.  We were in his incredible basement layout, and he pointed to a PRR Keystone on a steel plate that came from a B60b baggage car.  He laughed, and asked, "What is the correct color for PRR Tuscan Red?"  Upon closer inspection nearly every shade of Tuscan Red imaginable was visible on this 24" square plate.  The other item that stood out was his scale 2 rail Thomas the Tank Engine that was leading his very lengthy Broadway Limited that consisted of mostly kit-built and scratch-built cars.   Just goes to show we often take ourselves too seriously as modelers.

At York, between talking to the public, he would sit with his group of fellow 2-rail master modelers, and I would just listen and learn from the experts. The amount of knowledge they collectively had would fill volumes on this forum.  Again, at this show, Bob's wit was always evident.  I remember someone telling him about what model should be produced and how it would sell really well.  Bob didn't miss a beat by replying, "I think you are right.  It would sell so well, maybe you should produce the model.  You can use our design team and factory even.  All you need to do is to pay for the project and then you could keep all the profit!"  Another comical moment was when someone asked us where the smoke unit was in the RDC on display and he said, "Jonathan, he's a 3 railer, you deal with him!"   

This was much longer than I expected, but I will miss Bob horribly.  He was so generous with his time, his knowledge, and his willingness to pass it on to others.  We have lost another true great of this hobby.       

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This is so very sad for me and my wife.  We thoroughly enjoyed talking with Bob at the York meets.  He and I were 'Beano-philes'  to the max, and had many chats at Scott's booth about what should be made next, what each of us were working on in our own shops, our own memories of riding the B&O in its heyday, and when would Scott make a go-project of the B&O EA and (my other favorite) the Santa Fe E1?, etc., etc..

But for us Bob was extra special for his love of Golden Retrievers.   Many might not know that he provided rescue of Goldens needing short or long term care, a home, ...and love.  Our current 'kids', Goldens, are Millie (13 years) and Sophie (3 years).  Sophie never saw York...or Bob.  We had to give up RVing about 5 years ago.  Sophie's predecessor was Daisy, just one week younger than Millie.   While we traveled in our RV to York twice yearly, if it was possible Bob would take time to rendezvous with us while we were taking the kids for a walk around the fair grounds.  You could tell he had no shortage of love for them...and vice versa.

Another of my fondest memories is when, after years of cajoling, and nearly groveling/prostrating myself to the 3rd Rail reps...including Scott and Bob, they both approached me as I came down the Orange Hall aisle, wide grins, and announced "We're going to do it!!"  Glory hallelujah!!  And so they did...and both models have a very special  place in our home and hearts.  Bob was especially excited to talk about the EA variations that would be offered.

Bob, suffice it to say, Deb and I will forever remember our sharing moments.  Rest in Peace.  And enjoy the four-legged crowd awaiting you with wagging tails and sloppy kisses at the Rainbow Bridge.

Millie and Daisy...

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MacKenzie...

MacKenzie

Millie and Sophie...

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KD

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Last edited by dkdkrd

Terrible, just terrible! Bob and I go way back, and did many of the Chicago March Meets together, representing Sunset/3rd Rail. He was a true expert in any modeling details of B&O and PRR. Like me, he also loved steam, and was even an employee of Ross Rowland's Steam Locomotive Corporation of America. Believe he even toured in a rock band.

Great guy, and I'll sure miss him.

Geez,I met Bob at York a number of years ago at the Sunset booth along with Scott.  He was one of the most knowledgeable model train guys that I ever met.  He was extremely patient,explaining many of my grade school level questions about model trains and specific railroads.  As I remember,he also had a sense of humor.  We exchanged a number of emails afterwards.  He was always willing to share and recommend.  We lost a good guy.

RIP,Bob.  Condolences to your family.

Norm

Terrible News. Bob was a true gentlemen . Always pleasant and willing to help  whether with info how to do it, or where to turn to get some part . Just an alaround nice guy.  He will surely be missed by many.  It was my pleasure and honor to know him ! My deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

May he rest wrapped in the lords arms .

Franky-Ogee 

I am very sad to hear this. I met him at the O scale in Timonium many years ago, and ever since always enjoyed talking to him at every York, Strasburg Show and Chicago Meet. I visited his layout (some of his buildings were every impressive, as was his model of the flood control doors going into the rail tunnel going under the East River),  and he visited mine.  There was never a shortage of things to talk about with Bob.  And, of course, he was my Sunset dealer.

Last edited by John Sethian

I just learned of Bob's passing. I am heartbroken at this loss of a good friend. Bob is a guy who nearly always made you feel welcome. When I was new to scale modeling, Bob was really the first fellow to take the time to discuss the myriad details of our common interest in the PRR. His gentle humor and easy demeanor made it easy to become fast friends. I looked forward to each time we'd meet at the former Cherry Valley meet and later Strasburg. I recall congratulating him on his and the team's effort during the 2009 O National in Towson. When Sunset developed the GG1, Bob asked me to review some pilot model photos for accuracy. That faith in my judgement is something I treasured and will always. Many years later is when I found out about his music background and the current group 'Past Forward' he played in. During one Strasburg meet he brought me outside to show off his sweet guitar. I told him he should have mentioned beforehand and I could have brought my axe. Never got the chance to play together.

Rest well my friend. My sincere condolences to his wife Lynn and the family.

I am greatly saddened to hear this news. My sincerest condolences to his friends and family. I saw this thread this morning but I wanted to think about what I wanted to say.

I first met Bob about 25 years ago when my job sent me to school in Maryland. Thanks to this forum I was able to ask if anyone would open up their layout to me. Guys in the area agreed and I was able to see 5 different layouts in a 2 week time span and meet about ten 2 rail guys who lived in the area. The layouts I saw were (in no specific order) Christopher (N&W-sorry I forget his last name), David Vaughn, Wes Morgenstern (sp?), Joe Foehrkolb, and of course Bob's layout which was under construction back then. I remember going through some winding roads in pitch black darkness in the mountains of Maryland to get to Bob's house. When I finally got there Bob was a gracious host and it was well worth the drive. Bob had a way of explaining things in a way that made you feel at ease. I thought his layout was coming along great. After that I saw him at the Wind Gap meets and at York. We always talked and I enjoyed our conversations. He was always a positive person and had great outlook on life and the hobby and as mentioned above he was very knowledgeable about the prototype. I hadn't seen him in the last couple of years and I wish I would have reached out. I didn't know his health wasn't good. Just like Joe and Wes I will miss Bob a lot. He was a really, really great guy. I love that picture of him posted above. The 2 rail side of the hobby and Sunset Models has lost a great ambassador.

Very saddened by Bob's passing. We go way back, and he also went way back with my Dad, the founder of Sunset Models.

In the 1990s, Bob was partners with Howard Serig and they delt under the name S&H Trains.


When Dad went to his first York TCA show in 1990 or so, Bob volunteered to help at our tables, setting up and chatting up the customers. Occasionally Bob would turn around to find Dad napping behind the table. Pretty funny stuff. Hey, I'm now 61 and naps are a part of my schedule too.

So when I joined Sunset Models in 1997, I met with Bob at my first York Show in the Yellow Hall, under the grandstands. We became fast friends.

When I began attending the Midwest Chicago O Scale show, I couldn't get a table in the main room, so Bob and Howard offered me to join them at their table. Everyone was so welcoming and helpful. I kept staying at their table until the show owner finally offered my my own spot maybe 5 years later. Bob and friends and I continued to meet in Chicago and York over the years.

I would arrive in MD to visit with Bob at his house the day before we were to set up at York. We would strategize, he would show me models of things that he wanted me to make in his BIG basement layout. And he always looked at these requests as projects that would benefit our Company, not just favorites of his. He always made time, made me feel welcome, and lets face it, we were as close as family. That's something I hear again and again from his friends.

Then COVID hit and we stopped going to the shows. 2 years ago I came to MD to visit with Bob as I knew he was having a tough time with his health. We went to the York Show together, just to visit with friends, but it changed so much, I didn't see anyone we knew. We only spent an hour there and Bob was exhausted, so we returned to his house. That was the last time I saw Bob, but we talked every month or two until recently.

We lost a great one.

This is indeed sad news and a real shock.  I was fortunate enough to get to know Bob some years ago and always looked forward to our visits at the York train show and the Chicago March Meet.  He was extremely knowledgeable and always willing and happy to share his knowledge and expertise with those who shared his love of scale model railroading, including 3-rail scale.  His enthusiasm and good humor were infectious and a graceful gift to all who came in contact with him.  His passing is a real loss for the hobby and for all of us who knew him and were lucky enough to call him friend.  I am very, very sorry to hear this.

Mark

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