The Passing of a Legendary Figure in Our Hobby

I got to know Don many years ago when I did a short promotional video for his company. He was the epitome of a "Class Act." I will miss seeing him at York.

 

My condolences to his family.

My deepest condolences for his family.

GG was my track system for years, very well done product.

Andre.

 

A very nice man who I met numerous times at York. May god bless his family and may he rest in peace.

Yes he was very nice to our club and a pleasure to talk to. I know his family is proud of his contributions and will continue his legacy.

Don's family reports that his passing was peaceful and painless.  They have requested that I pass on to you that they appreciate the good thoughts and responses. 

Don was a true gentlemen.  I have spoken to him many times and he went overboard to be helpful. R.I.P.

A peaceful death is a gift to be hoped for.  He did a lot for the hobby, and will always be remembered fondly.

This is certainly shocking news and very sad.  Many years ago, Don was my inspiration for building my first "real" layout with what was a new kind of track that I had never heard of or seen before.  Once I found his track and switches, I was hooked and was so appreciative for the much improved look over what I had been using.  Don was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed...  In my mind, he was one of the "fathers" of the hobby as we know it today.  Our condolences go out to all of his family and friends....  See ya later Don!

 

Alan

Sending prayers for Don and his family!!

A great loss.....our condolences here at Nassau Hobby Center

A real loss for a leader in our hobby. As one who has used only Gargraves Flextrack on 4 layouts since 1992, I have a great appreciation for the Gargraves people and their product.

A great product and an even greater nice guy. You will be missed. 

Always sad to read about the passing of a fellow model train hobbiest -- especially one who had contributed so much to our world of model trains we enjoy so much.  Job well done, Don. 

 

May Don's family take a small level of comfort knowing all the lives Don touched with his innovation and conscientiousness in this hobby.  He will surely be missed.

 

David

My condolences to Don's family

Thank you for the great product and company. My track of choice since 1980

 

Clem

Allmy best to Don's family.  Sorry to hear about this.  A very sad day for all.

Sorry to hear that a leader  has passed.

I give my condolences to his family. 

Our condolences, too

Sorry to hear about the loss of Don Roder. Peace be with him and his family at this sad time.

Sending prayers to Don's family. 

As a user of GarGraves track and switches totally, I have enjoyed the product that he helped develop and market. He will be missed. Condolences to the family and friends.

Aside from the Lionel circle-L logo, the Phantom Rail logo is one of my earliest advertising memories in the hobby, dating back to late 50s ads in MR. Condolences to his family.

Very sad to hear. An icon of the hobby for sure. RIP.

Prayers and condolences to him and his family.

 

When I resumed my interest in LIONEL trains and secured my childhood trains from my Dad in the mid-80's because I had very young children, I remember I was shocked to see what, for me, was the prototypical track offered by Gargraves compared to LIONEL tubular track.

 

I was soon in contact with Don for special pieces and he was very friendly and accommodating.

 

He will be sorely missed.

Growing up in Rochester, NY it was my great honor to have known Don and considered him a friend.  He was a wonderful man and a huge supporter of the model railroading hobby including the Edgerton Model Railroad (formerly P.A.L Model Railroad Heaven).  The track, and other products that he manufactured were used by hobbyists all over the world.  And the trains that he repaired, put smiles on the faces of countless children no mater what their age.

Condolences to the family and friends in their time of loss. 

     GarGraves has been my track choice since the 1950's.  I wish the firm many more years of success.

          Logan

I met Don many years ago at York and found him to be courteous, helpful and cordial. His accomplishments speak for themselves, keeping Gargraves alive through the lean years of the late 60's and always offering something new each year. My sincerest condolences and prayers go out to the Rodor family on their loss.

If there is good news here, it is that Gargraves will carry Dons legacy forward.

My condolences to his family, may he rest in peace

 

 

Alex

Gentlemen,

   Don was a good man, my condolences to his family and close friends, a big loss to both his family and our hobby.

PCRR/Dave

thoughts and prayers on this sad day.

Prayers to all of Don's friends and family. Thanks for a great product that makes my hobby fun. RIP

My condolences to his family also.

Over the past 25+ years, GarGraves track has had a huge influence on my layout building activities. I built my first layout using Gargraves track and turnouts in 1988, and have been building with GarGraves track ever since.

 

When I first started using GarGraves products, I had several conversations with Don in support of my layout building activities. I found him to be extremely knowledgeable of his products and even more patient with my "rookie" questions. He increased my confidence and imparted to me the ability to do all of the things that I needed to do, to grow my layout's track plan.

 

Every time I spoke with Don, I came away with the conviction that I had made a wise decision to use GarGraves products to build my layout. When I began attending the York train meet, I had an opportunity to meet Don in-person. I always came away impressed by his knowledge of all things model railroading, his patience and willingness to share his knowledge.

 

The industry has lost an icon and he will be missed by many, myself included.

 

Rest in peace, Don.

I never met the man, but his classic products speak for themselves.  Many thanks for his great contributions to the miniature train hobby.  His accomplishments will live on.

 

My condolences to his family.

 

 May God bless his soul and his family. May they all find peace and comfort.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family.  I enjoyed speaking with him, as well as his son at York.  Was always helpful, filled with suggestions and willing to listen to suggestions for change, additions or improvements to their products.  I have used Gargraves products for about 40 years, now.  Many thanx to the family for making their products available.

 

Paul Fischer

My condolences go out to his family.  A sad loss indeed for the hobby, fortunately his work and legacy will be carried on by his sons.  A great product that from its beginnings added a new dimension to the hobby, and continues to do so today.

 

 

What a bummer. A great influence also in bridging the gap between 2 and 3 rail operation much of his track can be used for both. He will be missed and I would have liked to meet him.

My prayers and respect go to his family.

God Speed sir!

I met him at York years ago; very friendly and personable. My prayers are with his family at this most difficult time

Prayers for all involved.  RIP