Dick was no stranger to Kalmbach Publishing Co. He was born Jan. 27, 1934, and often commented that he was born the same month and year as Model Railroader magazine. He appeared with Wayne Wesolowski in the Kalmbach Video production Building Model Railroad Wood Structures. He also built the 4 x 8-foot HO scale Madison Central layout in the World’s Greatest Hobby video Building Your First Model Railroad.
In addition, Dick served as superintendent, assistant superintendent, and director of the National Model Railroad Association’s Wisconsin Southeastern Division and president, vice president, director, and contest judge for the NMRA’s Midwest Region. Dick was one of three chairmen for the NMRA’s 50th anniversary convention in Milwaukee in 1985.
Dick served as co-chairman of Trainfest (www.trainfest.com), the world’s largest operating model railroad show, held the second week of November in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis, Wis. He was also chairman of the board of the East Troy Railroad Museum (www.easttroyrr.org), which preserves and operates interurban railcars and trolleys
Dick was a good friend, told me about different interurban routes and the way to identify some of the old routes and landmarks. Always supportive and insightful, took the time to share.
Dick Cecil was a dedicated “railroader” and very friendly, non-assuming, knowledgeable and will always be remembered for allowing his pony tail to be chopped. I’ll never understand how he found the time to be involved in so many facets of the hobby. He had a great sense of humor and frequently enjoyed “ragging” on some fellow WISE Division members … but only when they deserved it!
Dick also “survived” the deadly Speedrail fan trip wreck at the 1950 NMRA convention in Milwaukee. He survived by oversleeping that morning and missed the trip.
It should also be noted that Dick Cecil won MR’s “Model of the Month Award” in the August 1988 issue page 105.