by Phil Hom
Photographer Bruce Meyer dies
WESTERN SPRINGS, Ill. — Bruce R. Meyer, 70, a 40-year Electro-Motive Division employee who was a prolific black-and-white railroad photographer during the steam-to-diesel transition in the late 1950's and early 1960's, died of cancer at home on June 29. Meyer retired in 1999 from a long career in marketing with EMD as Senior Vice President of Sales.
A native of Peoria, Ill., Meyer grew up in nearby Bloomington and earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1959. While at UofI, he became part of an active group of railfan friends, several of whom, like him, would become well-known in the hobby, including Jim Boyd, Bob Hundman, Parker Lamb, Ted Rose, and Phil Weibler. Several of them hung out at Champaign Tower, tutored by the late Illinois Central operator Dick Stair.
Meyer took his first railroad photos about 1953, concentrating on steam power on the Illinois Central in his home area, and later sought out steam in its waning years on the likes of Baltimore & Ohio, Nickel Plate, Norfolk & Western, Pennsylvania, and the two transcontinental Canadian railways. He had a special affection for the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range, which he modeled. He contriubted many photos to TRAINS Magazine, drawings and EMD paint diagrams in his earlier years to MODEL RAILROADER, and later, material to his publisher friend Hundman for his books and magazines.
“I like dramatic detail shots,” Meyer said in the Spring 2003 CLASSIC TRAINS “Great Photographers” series entry on him, written by John Gruber. Several years ago, Meyer donated his collection of EMD paint and lettering diagrams to the National Model Railroad Association because “I am a steam lover and not a diesel man.” He proved that by trekking to China to see 2-10-2’s as recently as 2001, following prior trips to not only China but Germany and Poland.
Meyer is survived by wife Bonnie, son Jeffery, and brother David. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 9, at the Hallowell & James Funeral Home at 1025 W. 55th St. in west suburban Countryside, Ill., at which family members and friends will be encouraged to share their memories of him. Donations in his memory are suggested to the American Cancer Society.
WESTERN SPRINGS, Ill. — Bruce R. Meyer, 70, a 40-year Electro-Motive Division employee who was a prolific black-and-white railroad photographer during the steam-to-diesel transition in the late 1950's and early 1960's, died of cancer at home on June 29. Meyer retired in 1999 from a long career in marketing with EMD as Senior Vice President of Sales.
A native of Peoria, Ill., Meyer grew up in nearby Bloomington and earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in 1959. While at UofI, he became part of an active group of railfan friends, several of whom, like him, would become well-known in the hobby, including Jim Boyd, Bob Hundman, Parker Lamb, Ted Rose, and Phil Weibler. Several of them hung out at Champaign Tower, tutored by the late Illinois Central operator Dick Stair.
Meyer took his first railroad photos about 1953, concentrating on steam power on the Illinois Central in his home area, and later sought out steam in its waning years on the likes of Baltimore & Ohio, Nickel Plate, Norfolk & Western, Pennsylvania, and the two transcontinental Canadian railways. He had a special affection for the Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range, which he modeled. He contriubted many photos to TRAINS Magazine, drawings and EMD paint diagrams in his earlier years to MODEL RAILROADER, and later, material to his publisher friend Hundman for his books and magazines.
“I like dramatic detail shots,” Meyer said in the Spring 2003 CLASSIC TRAINS “Great Photographers” series entry on him, written by John Gruber. Several years ago, Meyer donated his collection of EMD paint and lettering diagrams to the National Model Railroad Association because “I am a steam lover and not a diesel man.” He proved that by trekking to China to see 2-10-2’s as recently as 2001, following prior trips to not only China but Germany and Poland.
Meyer is survived by wife Bonnie, son Jeffery, and brother David. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 9, at the Hallowell & James Funeral Home at 1025 W. 55th St. in west suburban Countryside, Ill., at which family members and friends will be encouraged to share their memories of him. Donations in his memory are suggested to the American Cancer Society.
