Passing of Bob Heil

RIP Bob.

I had been told that his health was very poor while I was at the Strasburg show.  So sad to read this news.

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...

MacKenzie...

Millie and Sophie...

KD

Always sad to hear about an influential member of the community passing. I'm praying for his family. What is his account name so that we may look back on his posts and continue to learn from him?

A great ambassador of the hobby. He and the late Joe Fohrkolb always sat together at Strasburg. Doesn't get any better than that!!!

ECI

RIP Bob.

I met Bob a long time ago at York, after seeing his posts here, Bob always had time for me, was very knowledgeable, and also very nice, and humble.

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.

SO sorry to hear this.   Back when we lived on the east coast, we were in touch with Bob a lot.  He was always smiling and very easy going.  We lost a great guy.

This is sad news to hear.

Bob has been a fixture at the different shows for as long as I can remember.  Here is an image from the August 2023 Strasburg show.  He will be missed.

@bigboy25 posted:

...snip... What is his account name so that we may look back on his posts and continue to learn from him?

RHeil I believe.

RIP my friend will always cherish the time together

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.

Bob was one of the best -- he lived his life the way he ran his trains, "right side up".  He will certainly be missed, but fondly remembered.

SZ

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