Clipped from Railpace Hotnews:

LIMA HISTORIAN IS DEAD: On. Sept. 6, John H. Keller, Sr., retired NKP conductor and pre-eminent Lima, OH, historian, died in Lima at age 93. John's efforts resulted in the preservation of many facets of the history of the Lima Loco Works, including the placement in Lima's Lincoln Park of NKP 779, the final Lima steam locomotive. John was loved and respected by all who knew him. Railfans everywhere have lost a true friend. (Jim Tighe - posted 9/08)


Railpace Hotnews
lner4472@bcpl.net

I was extremely fortuante to meet John on two separate occsions when visiting Lima. The last being when he, Charles Bates (assitant curator at the Allen County Museum) and I toured the Loco site during its demolition. (Have to see if I can find those pictures.)

Very sorry to hear of his demise.

> Clipped from Railpace Hotnews:

> LIMA HISTORIAN IS DEAD: On. Sept. 6, John H.
> Keller, Sr., retired NKP conductor and
> pre-eminent Lima, OH, historian, died in
> Lima at age 93. John's efforts resulted in
> the preservation of many facets of the
> history of the Lima Loco Works, including
> the placement in Lima's Lincoln Park of NKP
> 779, the final Lima steam locomotive. John
> was loved and respected by all who knew him.
> Railfans everywhere have lost a true friend.
> (Jim Tighe - posted 9/08)


Flimsies
hkading@rypn.org

I was also fortunate to have met John Keller. We interviewed him for our video Red Devils-C&LE a few years ago. He not only gave a splendid interview but took us behind the scenes in the museum at Lima plus took us over to the local park and a private showing of the NKP Berk and cars there. It was a pleasure to sit in the cab of that Berk with him and hear his stories.
-Jim Herron

http://www.herronrail.com
hrvideo@mindspring.com

> Clipped from Railpace Hotnews:

> LIMA HISTORIAN IS DEAD: On. Sept. 6, John H.
> Keller, Sr., retired NKP conductor and
> pre-eminent Lima, OH, historian, died in
> Lima at age 93. John's efforts resulted in
> the preservation of many facets of the
> history of the Lima Loco Works, including
> the placement in Lima's Lincoln Park of NKP
> 779, the final Lima steam locomotive. John
> was loved and respected by all who knew him.
> Railfans everywhere have lost a true friend.
> (Jim Tighe - posted 9/08)
--------------------------------------------------
It is sad to hear of Mr. Kellers passing. The true Lima, Ohio NKP historian with a wealth of knowledge (93 years)on the Lima Locomotive Works and railroads.

I first met Mr. Keller two years ago while visiting Lima, Ohio on a cold wintery day.

I was shooting video of NKP #779 at Lincoln Park in Lima as an elderly gentleman drove up in a vehicle, left it idling and walked up to #779 and the fence/museum area. He put down something in a small can on the ground near the fence, as a yellow/orange cat came running and "meoooowwing" up to eat his breakfast.

As he turned to walk away, we said "Hello" to each other briefly and the older gentleman walked back to his warm vehicle and drove off.

I immediately thought that is was good care and concern for the gentleman to offer food to the "museum cat" on a cold day.

I later found out that the gentleman was Mr. John Keller.

I'm sure that all of us will remember Mr. Kellers historically strong dedication to Lima, Ohio and the railroads.

Ron Widman, President, Crestline Roundhouse Preservation Society.

Crestline PRR Roundhouse
r35bl4s@juno.com

The Lima News obituary on John Keller, amoung other new things, can be found posted on Flimsies.

Flimsies
hkading@rypn.org