December 17, 2008

It was my fortune to have lunch today with David W. Griner, Chief Mechanical Officer of Wasatch Railroad Contractors. Today is Dave’s last day as he is retiring and moving on to greener and “warmer” pastures. As we sat at lunch I reflected on Dave’s life and his accomplishments. I was able to ask Dave his feelings about his history and career. I take this opportunity to share with all of you a few of what I felt were the highlights.

In my book, one of Dave’s greatest accomplishments was the completion of the 844 Fire Box project. Dave was brought into the project well into the construction phase of the project. Dave took the reigns quickly, re-organized the operation, literally put a fire under it and in less than 18 months, he had the project finished. I had the great opportunity, along with Matthew A. Janssen, to work under Dave’s direction. Dave always started the day with a review of the work to be completed. He then asked each of us if we had comments or suggestions. He was always willing to listen. Watching the project come together as fast as it did after Dave arrived was a miracle in and of itself. Dave mentioned the 844 project while at lunch today as a project that he really enjoyed.

Dave also mentioned today the 89 project which he was heavily involved in at the Strasburg Railroad– or “The Burg” as he likes to call it. He recalled today at lunch what a great project that was and what a great locomotive the 89 continues to be for “The Burg”. As many of you well know, Dave spent many years at “The Burg” and has many feathers in his cap as a result of the work he did there. Many days here in Cheyenne were spent listening to stories of Dave, Doc, Kelly, Linn and the crew at the “Burg” operating trains. Dave really enjoyed switching with Kelly Anderson. Dave said it was like reading minds… “We just knew what we were doing,” Dave would often say.

Dave has a number of accomplishments outside of the steam world as we know it. Dave spent a great part of his life at Hartford Steam Boiler as a boiler inspector. If it has had steam in it on the east coast, Dave has seen it and most likely, Dave has written it up, repaired it, or told somebody how to repair it. I have often contemplated what it would be like to have been able to see so many different types of boilers and meet so many different people. In my book, Dave has accomplished more in the steam industry as a whole than anybody else I know.

As I asked Dave about what he felt were other accomplishments of his life, he mentioned to me his involvement with the Engineering Standards Committee. Dave has been a member of ESC and continues as such since its inspection. Dave has spent years and years of his life studying, reading and battling with the past while striving to preserve the future. Dave has always taken his responsibilities to heart. The ESC has not simply been a position to hang his hat upon; Dave has worked for the preservation of the industry. I have witnessed Dave enter into heated debates over repair procedures, standard practices and proposed rules. He is passionate about his knowledge and the industry. Dave always wages a very good verbal battle, win or loose!

Dave was also instrumental in the training of the FRA inspectors at many different classes held at the “Burg.” He enjoyed teaching those classes and being part of that experience.

I could go on and on, but I will not. Before I exit this soap box, however, I have to share with you what I will forever keep from Dave:

Dave loves to see you think. He is a master of asking you bated questions. “Do you really know?” He would ask often. He wants you to learn. He wants to teach, he wants to see somebody grasp something.

Of the comments he shared with me today at lunch the most powerful was this:

“I like helping people.”

As I have watched Dave I have come to find that nothing is more frustrating to him than situations when he is trying to help, but the recipient just won’t listen. Dave is willing to give, if you are willing to take.

I hired Dave as I felt it an opportunity for me to learn. I have learned so much. I have learned more than I can ever write and share on these pages. As such, I extend to all of you a challenge. More than anything, a challenge to my generation and those younger than me.

Question: WHO IS YOUR DAVE GRINER?

We speak often about the next generation. My contention is; what are we doing to learn from the Dave’s of the world? What are we doing to take from those willing to give? Life is short, time moves fast. We will loose more and more of the Dave’s as each hour passes. What are we doing to suck these walking encyclopedias dry of every ounce we can get out of them?

Dave, thank you for teaching me. You will remain a great inspiration to me as I press forward….hopefully carrying the flame that you have started. I will do my best to remember what you have taught me. It has been an honor to have you with us; I hate to see you go. However, I wish you the very best in your next endeavors.

Dave will continue on as the leader of Arizona Mechanical Engineering. Dave will be leaving Cheyenne and moving to Peoria, Arizona. For those of you who know Dave, he speaks often of Peoria. He really likes that place!

If you have learned from Dave over the years and wish to thank him, I invite you to contact him personally at dwgriner@wasatch-rr-contractors.com

If you have a different “Dave” in your life, I invite you to write him or her and thank them for the lessons taught and the lessons learned. The clock ticks on…

All the best Dave!

John E. Rimmasch
Wasatch Railroad Contractors

John;

I think if you did a search and replace of "Dave Griner" with "John Rimmasch", you'd have a pretty accurate story, too.

I remember vividly my times (2) at the Heber when you were there, that there was not the usual back stabbing and rumor mongering under your direction, instead there was a good support network, a good atmosphere, and, best of all, things got done.

It's most certainly refreshing when someone bumps into a "John Rimmasch" in ones wanders through life.

PS - attached is a photo I took - seems like yesterday, but was a little while ago now... Recognize your profile?

WOW !! What an excellent tribute to Dave Griner !

I had the extremely fortunate instance of learning from Dave for a whole day when he came down to Campo, CA this past June. Dave came to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum to evaluate 2 of our steam engines - #2353 4-6-0 and Coos Bay #11 , a 2-8-2T Mikado, as to which would be better to move forward on restoring.

As was mentioned in the above message, Dave is an encyclopedia of steam/boiler/RR information. I couldn't write notes fast enough :) I wish I had brought a video camera to capture every last gold nugget of information. He imparted SO much expertise in those few way too short hours. And YES, I listened and listened and had to keep my head from almost exploding from info overload :D I wish I had 0.0001% of his real world knowledge !!

I glad our paths crossed for a short while. He certainly has some giant shoes to fill. I know he'll continue to make the rounds as a consultant and hope to get the chance to learn from Dave again !!

Mike Lucek

I have had the privelege of knowing Dave for more than thirty years; over that time I have learned a LOT from Dave. He's always been the first person I call if I have a question about boilers. One of the proudest moments of my life was when he rode the Ten-Wheeler at the Huck and said "Ahhh, you've got this thing drafted right!'. And John, I think the seminar you, Dave, and I gave at the Large Scale Convention was much better than anything any one of us could have done on our own. I'm glad you and Dave are my friends!

I don't remember who first put me in touch with Dave when I was CMO with the 1522, but anytime I needed any kind of obscure "owner's manual" for our appliances, Dave never let me down.
I enjoyed the support and friendly attitudes of many of the folks I met while in that position. Steve Lee, Linn Moedinger, Dave, Doyle and countless others. What a community.
Good luck to you Dave, you will do well wherever you are.

Don Wirth

I'll second what Mike Lucek said.

Jim Baker, PSRM

I can't agree with that comment. Mr. Rimmasch has indeed challenged my personal strengths but Dave has always held a positive outlook on everything good and bad. I quit a good paying job working for the State of Nevada for the opportunity to work and learn from Mr. Griner. Once I settled in Ely at the Nevada Northern Dave moved on to Cheyenne and WRC. What I learned in the few weeks with Dave was amazing, he never let me down. When I was asked to relocate to Cheyenne and work with Dave and I jumped at the chance. Johnny felt I would be a larger asset elsewhere and Dave always kept a positive attitude about most everything. He loved helping and laughing. I never have seen someone turn so red in my life... I miss working with Dave. Not a day goes by that I don't use some of the knowledge he shared with me. He uses more soap stone on the floor than anyone I have ever seen.

All this sounds so dreary and sad. He is still here and is always willing help, he always has with me. Dave, at least now your cigarettes will be easier to light without the Cheyenne wind! Glad you have moved on and there is a world that will still follow you.

Good luck to you and please keep us all posted on your adventures. I hope our paths cross again.

He is a brilliant and extremely experienced gentleman - and has somehow managed to gain a variety of complimentary obituaries despite his not having yet expired. We're not abandoned, can still hire him or pick his brain. Last I heard, he was lurking on SteamTech, avoiding the current non-subject discussions there. We don't need to miss him yet, he hasn't gone anywhere.

dave

John E. Rimmasch Wrote:
"Dave loves to see you think. He is a master of asking you bated questions. “Do you really know?” He would ask often. He wants you to learn. He wants to teach, he wants to see somebody grasp something."

I have the utmost respect for Mr. Griner, it was a great pleasure to have worked with him in Slverplume.
What John describes in the above statement is very much true...Dave is a teacher, he wants to share his knowledge to better not only individuals but the industry as a whole and it is my impression that he gets a great deal of joy from doing so.
He is exceptionally knowledgeable in many areas of locomotive work and he ALWAYS made sure that I understood not just what was going on but more importantly why. On more than one occasion he pulled out a piece of soapstone, put on his professors hat and conducted a tutorial session using the boiler as a chalkboard.
And yes, his stories of events and projects at "the burg" are always very much enjoyable.