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George F. Kiesel |
Memorial Service As we scatter these ashes of George Frederick Keisel, Jr., we think again of all that Fred meant and means to us. We dedicate this site, the the grounds of the Wabash Frisco & Pacific Railway, amid these beautiful natural surroundings, to the wonderful memories associated with Fred. To all living beings, the soil has always provided the sustenance that is the staff of life. To that good earth we now commit the ashes of our friend, and in doing so, Fred is made one with Nature We cherish the memories of Fred, and give thanks to our heavenly Father for the numerous ways Fred blessed us all. Even as the sun goes down And though our world seems darker |
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"I consider myself lucky to have friends and acquaintances of all ages and sexes - many ages, only two sexes." Fred Kiesel A memorial fund has been set up at the Wabash Frisco & Pacific Railway Association.
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Emails and Stories received in memory of Fred: |
Click here to view more pictures of Fred doing what he loved best, being at his railroad |
By Randy Jackson (KSDK-TV, Monday, January 8, 2007) Those who knew Kiesel said he lived a simple life, always coming to the same White Castle down the street from his motel room for the same meal. Manager Rose Vitale said her staff and customers became his family. "He used to come in here everyday get his milk and glazed donut. We'd have it ready for him. Those kinds of things affect you. I'm a worker but at the same time I care about my people (and) my customers too," said Vitale. |
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| Hey DJ, Just getting around to reading some of the propaganda you sent along with the IT map books. Then looked up wfp website and shocked to hear of Fred Kiesel's death. Had got to know him many years ago when I bummed around a bit with Kenny Davis. Also knew Carlisle Schade and Cliff Shirley. Last time I was out at wfp with Fisher, Fred hollered and called me by name, although we had not seen each other for 20-25 years. What a guy. Anyway, sent in a membership check to wfp, as well as one for a c-note in memory of Fred. Later, RRW |
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I am a long-time friend of Fred’s.
I met him in Clayton on his way home from the library in the early 1990’s, and shared many many hours (daily bus rides) talking about trains, the WF&P’s weekend attendance, his recent train trips to California & England, and his adventurous life.
I thought the news article Dave worked on and page on WF&P web site are both wonderful tributes to him. I think he would be honored and very proud.
This past summer, he told me about the numbering of the train with his birthday. At first, I just thought the numbers were coincidence, but the way he smiled and said they are numbering it FOR him, I understood how special and important it was to him. He was truly touched by this.
If you could notify me of any WF&P events honoring him that I can attend, I would appreciate it.
Pat Difani |
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My favorite story involving Fred goes back to the late 1990’s. It was the Saturday evening of a member’s day weekend when many of the members decided to camp out at the railroad over night. Some in tents, some in campers, some wherever they could find a place to sleep. The plan to sit around a camp fire was rained out as we huddled under canopies that had been set up by Dave Schwartz. At this time there were no dusk to dawn lights around the railroad yard and the clouds from the rain made it even darker. As we sat around talking we kept noticing this small red glow every once in a while coming from the windows of the GFK (George Fred Kiesel) building. Someone would point it out but we could never figure where the light was coming from. It would only last a minute or two and was then gone. Was it a reflection off the glass? Was there something in the GFK which at that time was just used for storage? As the night went on and the light showers became stronger, we noticed the red glow again and again. By this time our imaginations were running wild as to what the origin of the light could be which seem to be now coming from the top of the steps at the door of the building. No longer was it a reflection from the window. There was definitely something in the GFK. About that time there was one of those bright flashes of lightning followed immediately by the loudest clap of thunder you ever heard. I will never admit to being part of the group that screamed like a bunch of girl scouts, but there, standing in the doorway, illuminated for just a few seconds by the bright flash of lighting, was Fred smoking a cigarette. Once we were all able to breath again from the scare of our lives, we almost passed out from our laughter. Jim Greathouse |
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I joined the WF&P back in 1949-50 when I was almost 15. I was part of the "young guys" group including Alan Eschenroeder, Leland (Blackie) Carlson, Alan (Pete Smith), Charlton Rogers, and Tom Langan. Dave Neubauer had not appeared on the scene.
Fred Kiesel was about 15 years older than me and that put him right up there with the high and the mighty including Carlisle Schade, the Christian family, Joe Hess, Laurence Russe etc. etc. What struck me about Fred right at the beginning was his quiet manner and his abiity to get the job done. Others would rant and rave, but Fred would just do it. He was the Chief Engineer as well as a member of the Board of Directors. Despite these august titles, he was not afraid to get his hands dirty. One of the photos I sent shows him working on the Powell turntable pit. I never really got to know Fred well. I left St. Louis in 1952 and except for the summers when I was still in college was far away in the East. Many many years later (almost 50!!) I began making visits to see my father in his final years. I'd always try go get out to the WF&P and when I did it was good to see Fred and reminisce a bit. He was a wonderful link to the past. For example, he was able to discuss the history of the 400 and 401 as an actual participant in the activities which brought both locomotives to the WF&P. He was always interested in the mechanical details of steam locomotives as well as the history of miniature railways. I have in my files two articles on the WF&P which he wrote in 1945-1946 for the English magazine The Model Railway News. It was titled "An American Farm Railway". At that time he was a officer in the US Army. The only time I ever saw him flustered was when I mistakenly called him by his first name. That was a real no-no. It was either Fred or nothing. Lew Schneider |
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