The man below, Bill Niedrich, was instrumental in preserving rolling stock at at least three organizations and contributed to others as well. We'll miss Bill.

NIEDRICH LT. COL. WILLIAM V. Jan. 8, 1916 to Sept. 1, 2003 Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. William V. Niedrich, a Military man, veteran of two wars and 8 campaigns, and Mason, who dedicated much of his life to his country, his community and the preservation of our nation's railroad history, died at the age of 87 on September 1, 2003. Born and raised in Oakland, Calif., he was enrolled in both high school and college ROTC. Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Ordinance Corps, he then transferred to the California Army National Guard. Volunteering for active duty just prior to WWII, he served in combat campaigns in the assault on Germany and later in Korea. At the end of his active service, in 1961, he joined the reserves. Mr. Niedrich was an Administrator at the Pioneer Home in Prescott, Ariz. and also worked in administration with the Arizona Hwy Dept. in Phoenix. He relocated to San Diego in 1974, and in 1978 he joined The San Diego Railroad Museum, which is now known as The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association, Inc. During his tenure there as Acquisitions Officer, he was responsible for acquiring many pieces of both rolling stock and support equipment for the Museum. He also served two separate terms on the Board of Directors/Trustees. He was a member of several other museum and preservation groups as well, including The Orange Empire Railway Museum. Mr. Niedrich maintained over fifty years of active membership in Masonic organizations, having joined the Live Oak Lodge #61, in Oakland, Calif. in March of 1938, where he soon completed his Master Mason, 3rd Degree. Mr. Niedrich was a 32nd degree Mason and a life member of the San Diego Scottish Rite Bodies, having affiliated from Tucson, Ariz. in 1974. His wife, Julia Hall Niedrich, is deceased. He is survived by a nephew, Dave Hall, his wife, Hedy Hall and their daughter, Julie Hall. Military and Masonic Scottish Rite services will be held in Mr. Niedrich's honor at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery 9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 19.


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