Alan Wimmergren, 42, passed away December 15, 2001

Alan Wimmergren, 42, passed away December 15, 2001.

Alan had been President of the Rail Passenger Association of California since 1989. Under his leadership RailPAC grew into a strong voice for sensible rail advocacy in California. RailPAC's newsletter, the Western Rail Passenger Review, has grown to a monthly publication, distributed throughout the nation as well as within the state of California. Alan was a frequent rider of private varnish excursion trains, and was a member of rail historical groups.

Alan was a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and was a native of New Hampshire who closely followed the return of passenger service there which became a reality just before he died. He served as a director of NARP for many years, yet he was a devoted follower of the URPA school of needed Amtrak reform. While he didn't live to see the end result of the Amtrak reform movement that is coming, he was a strong advocate and looked forward to a better system of passenger trains in the country.

Among the tributes to Alan were the following. First, from URPA President, Bruce Richardson: "Those of us who were fortunate enough to know him knew of his devotion to his cause of passenger rail advocacy, and his brilliance of thought on the issues. In less than a year we have lost both Adrian Herzog and Alan Wimmergren, each a giant in their own way. The eventual success of our quest for good passenger rail service in this country will be our monument to their efforts, as well as to those who have gone before them, including the late Byron Nordberg." Matthew Melzer added: "Alan was a mentor to me. He believed in the potential of my youth, and was eager to guide me on my path to fight the good fight of rail advocacy. I strongly recall an otherwise long and listless ride on the infamous San Joaquin bus from Los Angeles to Bakersfield. Fortunately, Alan was on that bus, and his infinite words of wisdom (on a variety of topics) certainly made the time pass quickly. Alan was a powerful mind in developing and pushing workable rail policy. His spirit can live on if we keep him close to our hearts as we continue on the sometimes long, but ultimately gratifying, road to improved passenger rail service and a balanced transportation infrastructure. Thanks to Alan, we are farther along on this road than we could've ever been without him."

Alan's memory was honored with a moment of silence at the February 2, 2002, RailPAC Annual Meeting. On May 25, 2002, a memorial ceremony was held, attended by his father, friends, rail advocates, and co-workers from Experian, held at the Santa Ana Amtrak/Metrolink station that Alan used so frequently and where many monthly RailPAC get togethers were held during his Presidency.

-- Russ Jackson


RailPAC Contacts Publications Issues Archives Tributes Byron A. Nordberg Dr. Adrian Herzog Alan Wimmergren Meeting Reports Membership Links	Alan Wimmergren, 42, passed away December 15, 2001. Alan had been President of the Rail Passenger Association of California since 1989. Under his leadership RailPAC grew into a strong voice for sensible rail advocacy in California. RailPAC's newsletter, the Western Rail Passenger Review, has grown to a monthly publication, distributed throughout the nation as well as within the state of California. Alan was a frequent rider of private varnish excursion trains, and was a member of rail historical groups. Alan was a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and was a native of New Hampshire who closely followed the return of passenger service there which became a reality just before he died. He served as a director of NARP for many years, yet he was a devoted follower of the URPA school of needed Amtrak reform. While he didn't live to see the end result of the Amtrak reform movement that is coming, he was a strong advocate and looked forward to a better system of passenger trains in the country. Among the tributes to Alan were the following. First, from URPA President, Bruce Richardson: "Those of us who were fortunate enough to know him knew of his devotion to his cause of passenger rail advocacy, and his brilliance of thought on the issues. In less than a year we have lost both Adrian Herzog and Alan Wimmergren, each a giant in their own way. The eventual success of our quest for good passenger rail service in this country will be our monument to their efforts, as well as to those who have gone before them, including the late Byron Nordberg." Matthew Melzer added: "Alan was a mentor to me. He believed in the potential of my youth, and was eager to guide me on my path to fight the good fight of rail advocacy. I strongly recall an otherwise long and listless ride on the infamous San Joaquin bus from Los Angeles to Bakersfield. Fortunately, Alan was on that bus, and his infinite words of wisdom (on a variety of topics) certainly made the time pass quickly. Alan was a powerful mind in developing and pushing workable rail policy. His spirit can live on if we keep him close to our hearts as we continue on the sometimes long, but ultimately gratifying, road to improved passenger rail service and a balanced transportation infrastructure. Thanks to Alan, we are farther along on this road than we could've ever been without him." Alan's memory was honored with a moment of silence at the February 2, 2002, RailPAC Annual Meeting. On May 25, 2002, a memorial ceremony was held, attended by his father, friends, rail advocates, and co-workers from Experian, held at the Santa Ana Amtrak/Metrolink station that Alan used so frequently and where many monthly RailPAC get togethers were held during his Presidency. -- Russ Jackson
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