Progress at What Price?

Progress always seems to have a price on my layout. There were 2 areas of track work that have been giving me migraines. One has severe accessibility issues and I will need to wait until I can get a second pair of hands to fix it. The other was just inconvenient to reach but I could handle on my own. (Or so I thought) In one back corner I had a curve, on a grade, that would cause derailments on a long hopper trains with increasing frequency. (Micro-Train 2 bay hoppers are too light to start with and the older ones with pizza cutter wheels were even more touchy.)

Determined to put an end to this, I carefully removed the power plant and planned to remove a section of flex track to fix it. Naturally my "spasticity" exceeded my prepared work area and the Buzby Bros. cement mixing plant experienced an earthquake (floor drop) destroying two of the storage bins. Since the damage includes brass railings, the plant production will be crippled until I can secure talent (way beyond mine) to fix it. Oh well, progress always comes at a price on the PRSL!

The Quiet Warrior

We just lost my father-in-law at the age of 92. He broke the big bone in his leg just trying to get up from his chair. Due to a deteriorating heart condition surgery was too big of a risk. Congestive heart failure began to affect his breathing and he passed July 7^th surrounded by his family.

It was a privilege to know the man. He was a quiet, unassuming, solid, hard working man who would do anything for anyone in need. In his last lucid moments he was pleading that someone would continue his efforts to reach an unsaved family member because he desperately wanted to see the whole extended family together on Heaven’s shores.

The world is a sadder place without his smile, encouragement, and servant’s heart.

Roderick D. Kemmerer, 92, of Whitehall, died Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest. He was the husband of Irene E. (Mehrkam) Kemmerer to whom he was married 68 years last June 6. Born in Cementon, November 22, 1923, Roderick was the son of the late Harry W. and Irene E. (Semmel) Kemmerer. He faithfully and honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was employed as a cable splicer at the former Bell Telephone, in Bethlehem, for 42 years before retiring in 1989. Roderick was a member of the First Baptist Church of Allentown where he formerly served as a Trustee. Survivors: In addition to his loving wife, Irene; children, Barbara A. Balassaitis and her husband, Richard of Washington Township, NJ, Randy K. Kemmerer and his wife, Karen of Mount Laurel, NJ, Susan B. Void of Whitehall; brother, Nathaniel P. Kemmerer of Fayetteville, GA; grandchildren, Heather, Brad, Kevin, Christy, Courtney, Caroline, Jeremy, and Jason; fourteen great grandchildren; predeceased by a brother, Atwood R. Kemmerer. Services: Funeral services will be held 11:00 am. Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at the First Baptist Church of Allentown, 1808 North 19th Street, Allentown with the Rev. Joseph R. Velarde officiating. Family and friends may pay their respects from 9:30 - 11:00 am. Tuesday in the church. Interment with military honors will follow the service at Union Church Cemetery, Neffs. The Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc., in Schnecksville is in charge of arrangements. Online expressions of sympathy may be recorded at www.heintzelmancares.com. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Allentown c/o the funeral home, P.O. Box # 196, Schnecksville, PA 18078-01976. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mcall/obituary.aspx?n=roderick-kemmerer&pid=180611302#sthash.z2pefeLa.dpuf