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 Post subject: The passing of Mike Rowe
PostPosted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 5:21 pm 

Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2005 11:22 pm
Posts: 219
Mike Rowe, a frequent contributor to rypn, passed away suddenly last Friday, September 13th at home.

A dedicated preservationist has been lost and his comments missed.

Services will be in Boulder, Co October 12th.


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 Post subject: Re: The passing of Mike Rowe
PostPosted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 6:33 pm 

Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:07 am
Posts: 328
Following is a post he made here last summer. As someone just beginning to learn, I appreciate comments like his below that come from a lot of experience.

mikerowe wrote:
Sun Aug 05, 2012 3:37 pm
Posts: 95
Location: Boulder, CO

Restoring steam locomotives is generally a hideously expensive undertaking--and you never know what all you are going to find once you begin to de-construct a locomotive. At the Colorado Railroad Museum, where I volunteer, we have had ex-Rio Grande Southern #20 (4-6-0) under restoration at the Strasburg shop for several years. The project was launched with an anonymous $500,000 private grant. The work on the locomotive is done when they have the time and we have the money. Right now we are working on raising what should be the final $250,000. It is a slow process--and we seem to be luckier raising money than most museums, perhaps because of the cachet of Rio Grande narrow-gauge mountain railroading connected with the museum. When the dust settles, we should be into #20 for about $1.5 million.

That kind of money just doesn't hang from trees anymore. With the economy in the trash can, grant money has pretty much dried up, and most museums and tourist railroads are just struggling to hold on to their present membership/attendance. Governments have cut back or eliminated their discretionary funding (and sometimes non-discretionary funding as well). All the museums and tourist railroads are doing the very best they can with the resources they have.

The question of "Why don't they restore #XYZ to operating condition?" is moot these days. The only way that is going to happen (and even then it is a "maybe") is for the questioner to get out from behind his/her computer and start his/her own fund-raising effort. Be prepared for a lot of frustration.

Mike


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 Post subject: Re: The passing of Mike Rowe
PostPosted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 1:53 am 

Joined: Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:31 pm
Posts: 53
RIP


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 Post subject: Re: The passing of Mike Rowe
PostPosted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 6:18 pm 

Joined: Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm
Posts: 2875
Found this brief obituary online:

Quote:
Born in 1945 in Denver, CO. Passed into the Lord's hands at home in Boulder, CO September 13, 2013. Mike's memorial service is Saturday October 12th, 3:00 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1419 Pine Street, Boulder, CO. Mike is survived by family and many cherished friends. Donations may be made in Mike's name to the Organ Historical Society, PO Box 26811, Richmond, VA 23261.


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 Post subject: Re: The passing of Mike Rowe
PostPosted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 9:40 pm 

Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:45 am
Posts: 1010
Here's the link to his full Obituary: Mike Rowe Obituary, published in the Boulder Daily Camera on September 29, 2013

And what it says about memorials and a service:
Quote:
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike's memory may be made to either the Organ Historical Society (P.O. Box 26811, Richmond, VA 23261) or the National Trust For Historic Preservation - Denver Field Office (1420 Ogden Street, Denver, CO 80218). Please stipulate that the donation be used for Colorado historic preservation projects. A service will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2013, at 3:00 p.m., at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1419 Pine Street, Boulder, Colorado. A reception will follow at the parish hall.

_________________
--
Chris Webster


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