I regret to inform my fellow RYPN members that fellow rail historian Frank Koob passed away recently after a brief battle with cancer. Frank was only 55.
A native of Pigeon, (and later Caro) Michigan, Frank grew up watching trains at the diamond of the GTW Caseville and C&O (nee-PM) Bad Axe-Saginaw main, and spent many formative years crawling around the remains of the shortline Detroit, Caro & Sandusky. Early exposure to mixed trains and steam on the Polly-Ann hooked him, and his love of railroads would remain with him the rest of his life.
I do not overstate it when I say that he was one of the foremost experts on Railroads of Michigan's Thumb Region; Frank was one of those guys who forgot more than many of us will know. In particular, he was, IMHO, THE foremost expert on the Handy Brothers Railroad empire, best known by many as the Detroit, Bay City and Western, Port Huron & Detroit, and Detroit Caro and Sandusky Railroads. Frank also had one of the finest collections of real-photo postcards of train depots in the state, all of which pretty much pertained to the five county area of Michigan's Thumb, and was an expert on the turn of century Michigan/ Canadian photographer Louis Pesha.
It should be noted as well that Frank, a long time volunteer and member of our museum, was instrumental in helping us to secure Port Huron & Northwestern #1, the "D.B. Harrington" in the early 1990's. He will be greatly missed by all of us that knew him.
Once again, another good railroading friend, one who was a real inspiration to me, has caught that last train to the sky. Your lined for the main, and all clear with all targets green. You have the Highball, my friend.

T.J. Gaffney

http://www.thetimesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051228/OBITUARIES/512280325/1023