photo by Dale Eckerman

A moment of relaxation for the editor and photographer during AAPRCO's 2004 convention; the camera and the note pad have been put aside for awhile. The above photo was taken on September 27, 2004 in Whitefish, Montana.

John, an honorary member of AAPRCO, was Editor of our Private Varnish magazine, producing over 100 issues during the past two decades. Under his leadership and through both his written word and photography, Private Varnish achieved his personal goal of properly documenting privately owned railroad cars and the activities of their owners, during the period that he described as "the second golden era of private railroad car travel in North America." He was also a regular contributor to the former Passenger Train Journal magazine.

His love of passenger trains and railroad passenger cars, combined with his professional talents as a photographer, are reflected in his extensive collection of railroad photographs. Indeed, this collection of approximately 35,000 images, that he photographed over four decades, provides a unique record of passenger trains/cars, primarily in the Chicago area, as well as the activities of AAPRCO and it's members. Anyone who shares his interest in the railroad passenger car/train has seen a selection of his photographs published in various venues such as Private Varnish, Passenger Train Journal, Robert J. Wayner's "Amtrak Car and Locomotive Spotter", David Randall's "From Zephyr to Amtrak", Harold A. Edmonson's "Journey to Amtrak", Patrick C. Dorin's "The Domeliners" and on the internet at Web Lurker's dome car website.

In addition to his photographs, John possessed a wealth of historical information on railroad passenger cars. This encompassed not only his own library of reference material, but his extensive network of contacts and sources who were consistently willing to respond to a request for historical information that came from John. True to his genuinely humble nature, he never considered himself a passenger car historian, preferring to bestow that title on a number of respected friends and contacts.

John's previous employment included time with a traveling circus, active duty as a United States Marine, and work at U.S. Steel's South Works. He was a member of the Twentieth Century Railroad Club and Moose Lodge 1062.

Ms. Karen Kuehl, 519 Calhoun Avenue, Calumet City IL 60409 will sincerely appreciate any memorials sent to her.

John's dedication, enthusiasm, and friendship will be missed by all who knew him.

photo by Stan Brandt

John working as a cook onboard private car SILVER SOLARIUM in the consist of a Twentieth Century Railroad Club "Train to the Planes" special excursion from Chicago to Oshkosh WI and return for the annual air show on August 1, 1992.

photo by W. S. Marsh

Early on an autumn 2004 morning, enroute home from the 27th annual AAPRCO convention, John greets the dawn in the Vista Dome.