Just read over on Railroadforums.com that Chard Walker, famous operator at Summit, Cajon Pass, has been diagnosed with Lukeimia and needs all the support from his friends and family in the railfan community!! There is an address to the hospital on the post at Railroadforums.com, but I don't know how to bring it over here?! A legend not only to Santa Fe fans, but all railroad buffs as well! Prayers to him and the Walker family.
Here's the hospital info: Desert Valley Hospital 16850 Bear Valley Road Victorville, CA 92395 Room 244-3 (760) 241-8000
Yes, my thoughts to Chard Walker for a recovery and for more years of life. He has been a generous giver of his wealth of Santa Fe and Cajon Pass experience and history throughout his entire life. (In case you don't know, Chard Walker was the Santa Fe's clerk/operator at the Summit station at the top of Cajon Pass, for many many years, starting in the late Santa Fe steam era and extending throught the 1960s, if I remember correctly. He has written numerous books, tooks tons of photos which have been published over the years, and has been a frequent speaker at Cajon Pass and Santa Fe railfan conventions). Wishing the best for Chard Walker, my prayers for his health and recovery....
To give everyone an idea how long Chard has been a railfan his Pacific Railroad Society membership No. is 9! Until his illness he was still attending meetings.
i believe there was an article about him, and Summit, in one of the Vintage Rails magazine issues. Boxcab E50
"Trains" magazine had a two-part article awhile back, maybe a year or two ago, and it was really good! I'll have to go in my mag collection and see which ones.
From the Cajon Pass Yahoo Group this AM: I just received a phone call from Gene Rutledge telling me that a good friend to all who knew him, Chard Walker passed away around 9:00 this morning Pacific Daylight Time and was very peaceful when he slipped away. His death leaves a big hole among those who knew him. When I get more information I will try to post it on the Santa Fe list. Norm Walters Chard Walker passed away this morning, at about 800am, at his longtime home in Hesperia. Chard's condition had been deteriorating over the past couple of days. Good friends Charlie Schultz and Alan Serfas, along with Hospice Nurse Sabrina were in Hesperia when Chard passed on. Chard's daughters Judy and Joy have been notified in Lolo, MT. There will be a memorial service, at an as yet to be determined time and place. Daughter Judy and her two daughters had come from Montana last weekend to visit Chard, but had returned home, Sunday, believing as many of us did that Chard would last a bit longer. Both of Chard's daughters, Joy and Judy, were in Hesperia during the middle of August when Chard was released from the hospital to go home. Longtime friends, retired Engr Don C. Richardson and Condr Don Sheets agreed that Chard's passing marks the end of an era. Chard was a longtime member of Orange Empire Railway Museum and Pacific Railroad Society. It was through Pacific Railroad Society's predecessor organization, The Railroad Boosters, that Chard first traveled to Summit, in 1946, to stay in the Los Angeles Ry Funeral Car "Descanso," and enjoy Cajon Pass. Telegrapher Bob Wagner encouraged Chard to apprentice as a Santa Fe Ry telegrapher, in 1947, then eventually live and work at Summit. Chard lived in the "Descanso" from 1951 until 1955, before he got married. It was fellow Railroad Booster and Santa Fe employee, Jack Whitmeyer, who introduced Chard to his wife Margaret Sheely. Chard and Margaret's daughters, Joy and Judy, were born while the Walkers lived at Summit. The Walkers left Summit in 1967, for the home on Pine Street in Hesperia. Chard retired from the Santa Fe in 1983, while working at Barstow. Signature Press plans on reprinting Chard's book Cajon Rail Passage to the Pacific, hopefully by Christmas. The Walker Family may be sent cards and letters at Chard's address 18073 Pine St. Hesperia, CA 92345. Glen Icanberry Redlands, CA
R.I.P. While I never met Mr. Chard Walker I have seen his work and have one of his books along with several articles he had written over the years. My condolences to the Walker Family. Rest in peace with the Lord Mr. Walker. You have the high green all the way.
Railroading has lost a legend in this man. I never met him but admired all he did through others reporting. God rest your soul, Chard. :tb-sad:
My heart is heavy over the loss of Chard, but at the same time, I am grateful for having been able to spend time with him. He is truly one of the greats. I would hope that the appropriate publications honor him in the next issue. As I mentioned in a thread on another board barely 6 days ago: "The earlier discussion on naming a spot in the loop "Steinheimer Hill" got me to thinking. In the spirit that gave us Sullivan's Curve, why not name the summit at Cajon Pass "Chard's Hill", "Chard's Summit" or "Walker's Summit"? Having had the distinct honor of spending time with Chard Walker (he has forgotten more about railroading than I will ever know) at Summit and in Cajon Pass, perhaps this is an idea whose time has come." Friends, the time is now. If Chard's family is open to such an idea, I would hope that you out there would lend your name, your effort, your connections, to such a worthwhile endeavor (for example, I note that folks connected with Railfan & Railroad and Trains post on the internet). I think that is is safe to say that each and every one of us who were part of the Cajon Pass Railfan, Historical Society, & BS Meets would sign on to see that our friend is honored this way. Respectfully, Burlington John
Chard's Hill 582 friends are sure to do something there as they have for other friends of the hill. He use to visit there often w/ them. Of late they were going to Millie's in Hisperia for lunch. There's a monument there were other friends of the hill have been honored. It'll have to be sort of inconspicuous as the hill was shot up once.
