The hobby industry lost a true giant yesterday with the passing of Hal Carstens. Hal joined the staff of Railroad Model Craftsman in 1952, became editor in 1954, and president of the company in 1962.

Hal served as president of various organizations, including Hobbies Industries of America, the Model Railroad Industry Association, Friends of the New Jersey Railroad & Transportation Museum and the Train Collectors Association. He also served in various capacities with the Photographic Society of America, Hobby Industry Association and the Wagner College Board of Trustees.

It was his leadership of Carstens Publications where he will be missed the most. The business has always been more of a family, and Hal was our patriarch. I wouldn't be able to thank him enough for the opportunities he has given me in the publishing business.

To say we're going to miss Hal is obvious. But while we'll miss him as our leader and boss, and miss him as one of the hobby industry's premier promoters, we'll miss him most as a friend.

Steve Barry
Railfan & Railroad