MADISON, Wis. — Rail photographer John Dziobko Jr., whose work covered the transition from steam to early diesel power, as well as documenting foreign steam after the end of the U.S. steam era, died Aug. 5, 2022, in Madison. He was 89.
Nicknamed “The Godfather,” Dziobko began 35mm black-and-white photography in 1949, using a Bolsey camera, and took his first 35mm Kodachrome images in July 1950. For the next 69 years, 35mm was the format of his choice. Friends encouraged him to transition to digital photography, but his heart remained with film media.
Dziobko was, however, open to the opportunities of the digital era. He began to scan and upload his photos to popular photo websites, accruing 10 million page views, and began publishing his photos to his own site, GodfatherRails.com, with the help of his longtime friend Ray Peacock.
Early on, he was fascinated by the colorful new diesel locomotives being introduced on American railroads, ignoring steamers until about 1953, when he realized they were an endangered species. He then began traveling North America to search out active steam locomotives, with the Pennsylvania Railroad his main attraction. He would later say he was happy to have witnessed those transition years.
One of the trademarks of John’s photography was the inclusion of the human element with his railroad subjects. He remained enthusiastic about making photos in the digital age.
He gained his nickname from the late Tim Fullbright, who asked Dziobko to “bring a tray of slides, Godfather,’’ to a Quad Cities railfan gathering. “I told John, ‘No one will ever be able to spell Dziobko correctly; we ought to exploit that,’” Peacock said, “and Godfather became his nickname.’’
Born in Oct. 10, 1932, in Newark, N.J., Dziobko was a civilian U.S. Army employee at the Rock Island Arsenal, living in Rock Island, Ill., until the death of his wife Gloria in 1979.
He is survived by a sister-in-law, Beatrice, of Washington, D.C., and cousin Susan Zetkov-Lubin of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., as well as her three children. A visitation and funeral service will be held at Cress Funeral Home, Madison, Wis., on Wednesday, Aug. 10.
— Updated at 2:35 p.m. CDT to correct details of Rock Island Arsenal employment.
I knew John and used to run around with him (and many others) in the QC Railfan circles in the 1970s. Many a slide show @ Gary Powell’s apartment. Especially Remember a great trip that John and I took to Chicago in the summer. I eventually lost track of him as college and life intruded. Was heartened to see him back in the limelight in his later years. Thoughts of him typically brought a smile to my face (not a bad legacy John). He was a great guy, never pretentious, always friendly, will be missed. RIP John
Your old friend, Mike
John was a one of a kind, for sure. The volume of quality color photos he took seemingly everywhere during an important era in rail history will probably only be more appreciated as time goes on. His January slide shows, with “colorful” narration, were always a highlight of my yearly railfan activities.
RIP John, he took some wonderful photographs.
I have always enjoyed his PRR photos. May you have green signals and smooth track, Godfather.
What a legend! He created an amazing wealth of photos and I’m honored to have seen one of his presentations. God bless!