Remembering Fred Dole

So sorry to learn of Fred's passing.  I met him a few times and indeed he was a fine gentleman.   May his soul rest in eternal light and may his family have the needed strength to get through these difficult days.  My sincerest condolences to the family.

Sad news indeed. Condolences to his family and friends. Fred was one of the good guys.

This is certainly a shock to hear.  My condolences to all his family and friends.   He certainly had a lasting impact on many in the hobby and will be missed.

Regards,

Greg

I just  learned of Fred Dole's passing and was stunned by the news. Fred photographed Collector's Gallery for many years, among his other duties  as Editor of O Gauge Railroading, and I learned to be a much better writer thanks to his professionalism as an editor as well as his artistic talents as a photographer.  In his years as Editor of OGR, Fred was responsible for the look as well as the content of the magazine which helped us become the magazine we are today.

When we worked together, because our names sound similar, people were always confusing us. For years  I  found myself  answering to Fred Doyle and Fred answering to Ed Dole. Given Fred's achievements in the hobby as photographer, editor, layout person and writer I was proud to be called Fred. It was an honor.

My condolences to Edie, his loyal wife and chief supporter.  Fred and his superior set of talents will be missed by all of us in the hobby. 

Ed Boyle

Wow....I am shocked and saddened. Fred Dole was a  true gentleman. I enjoyed his writing and envied his skills. Condolences to the family.

Real professional model railroader, writer and editor and one of my OGR favorites going back many years. My condolences to the family.

A sad loss for our hobby.  Condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

Fred will be long remembered by me as a true friend who not only gave me the start with OGR but also taught me a lot about magazine development and photography. On a few but nonetheless memorable occasions, Fred and I got to spend all-too-short spans of time together, and I will remember them all with fondness.  His warm smile and quiet but assured personality were truly infectious.  When I accepted the editor's desk from Fred's stewardship, he passed on tips and wisdom for doing the job that quickly proved to be immensely helpful. He heard me say this before in real-time and I have to say it again--thank you Fred.

George Brown

Sad news. Condolences to his family. He will be missed.

This is very sad to hear, and my condolences go out to his family and friends.

I was just reading some older OGR articles that Fred wrote this morning at breakfast - he loved to write about Delta Lines and reproduced many of the structures Frank Ellison originally built. His photographic skills and genuine interest in layout building made him an icon in model railroading - his camera angles of layouts are the best bar-none - and he had one neat layout going from what I recall.

Fred Dole is one of the giants of model railroading in my estimation.

So sorry to hear of this. When I got back into trains, I found that reading OGR exposed me to many new things and helped with a lot of questions I had. I met Fred a few times and my recollection is that he was a really good guy. Fred's OGR was a great magazine and a pleasure to read.

Gerry

Let me add my voice to this thread in expressing my condolences on Fred's passing.

Classic Toy Trains magazine once referred to Fred as a "Hobby Legend." I would agree with that assessment. We lost a great modeler and photographer with his passing.

Fred was one of the first people I met at my very first York.  He was one of the nicest people and fun to talk trains with.  I always associate him with the famous Delta Lines layout which he was very fond of.  I seem to remember Fred buying some of the original structures and building some of his own.  A true talent and gentleman who will be missed.  Condolences to all his family and friends.  BigRail

I knew Fred back in the 80's.  Condolences to his family and many friends, he will surely will be missed by all who knew him.

Jack

I never met Fred but knew of him and his name from the RR model magazines I read...in a way it's like losing a friend ...be it one I never met...and I have to same the same feeling about some other folks who have appeared in OGR for quite a long time...Ed Boyle, Rich Melvin, Jim Barrett..I may ever meet any of you face to face...but you all have been a part of my life through this great hobby....My condolences go out to Bob and his family....Our own family of train model railroaders also lost a good friend. RIP Fred and thank you for all the memories....

I never met Mr. Dole, but as a subscriber of OGR for many, many years, I am very familiar with his work. He will be greatly missed by everyone in the model railroading community. My condolences to his family.

As an OGR Reader. A person like Fred, that departs from this earth never truly leaves. For he is still alive in our hearts and minds.

Please accept my condolences, he will not be forgotten.

Gary

So sorry to hear about Fred.   A big loss to all model railroaders especially OGR Magazine and Forum.    Good ones seem to go far too soon.

Godspeed Mr. Dole!