Longtime railfan and traction enthusiast in Dallas and St.Louis/Southern Illinois.

MATA streetcar operator and barn man.

Active in train shows and model railroading.

Rode the last Dallas Railway & Terminal streetcar the last mile in Dallas on closing day. Had to walk back to his truck.

Apparent heart attack last night.

More details when available.

Richard J. Fowler Jr.





FOWLER, JR., RICHARD J., born in Dallas on Aug. 2, 1927, died Dec. 14, 2004. Beloved Dad, Daddy, Granddaddy, Paw-Paw, & friend to many. Richard loved his family, trains, trolleys, plants, traveling & music. Affectionately called "Reverend" because he could fix anything, especially after others had tried for hours or days. After retiring from 35 years of dedicated service at Smith Alarm Systems, Richard was an active volunteer for the Age of Steam Museum and the McKinney Avenue Transit Authority (trolley) in Dallas, where he served many roles from barnman to conductor. Richard never met a stranger & will be greatly missed. Survived by 3 children, Gayle Marie Baird, Scott Fowler & Dianne Ashton; 6 grandchildren, Steve Baird, Jason Baird, Chris Eoff, Brittany Ashton, Aaron Fowler, & Ian Fowler; and one great-grandson, Kyle Baird. Also survived by his brother, Gene Fowler; sister, May Clemetsen; step-brother and lifelong friend Paul Lyday; loving nieces & nephews; & many friends, including special friends, Dawn Fowler & Doris Owen. Services at Laurel Land Memorial Chapel at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 16, 2004. Interment to follow at Restland Memorial Park. Dallas Laurel Land 214-371-1336
Published in the Dallas Morning News on 12/16/2004.

This thread scared the bajeebeeze out of me.

I have known "Rich" Fowler (long time volunteer with the Hocking Valley Scenic) from Columbus, Ohio for YEARS! I was afraid I had lost an old acquaintance.

*sighs in relief*

G

I'm sure Richard's passing will leave a big void at the car barn. I'm only down there at MATA a few days a year, but still he was there almost every night to welcome the cars back to the barn after their run for the day.