Model railroading has lost a friend and so have I. Gary Gelzer was well known to many OpSig folks for his attendance at operating weekends throughout the country, his articles in the Dispatcher's Office and his multiple versions of the Great Nothwetern Coastline Railway and Navigation Company (GNC). In mid August, returning from a cruise with his wife, Charlotte, he complained about the food on the ship not agreeing with him, such that he lost 10 pounds in 5 weeks. Two months later, he is dead of pancreatic cancer. To his friends, this seems like a whirlwind. We can only speculate on what it feels like to Charlotte.
Folks who listened to Gary talk about the GNC or were able to operate on it, probably share his enthusiasm for it. You can visit the GNC on our club web site (http://pcmrc.org/gnc.html). The layout is built on commercial benchwork parts and could be moved relatively in tact. Gary has donated the layout to our club. If you are interested in relocating the GNC, contact us (http://pcmrc.org).
Coincindentally, my wife, Linda, and I just finished an article to be published in the December issue of Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine about preparation for issues, including estate planning. The on-line magazine is free to readers (http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/). Seeing how quickly Gary was stricken down, gives us all a reminder of the need for preparation.
I met Gary shortly after he moved to PebbleCreek (a development within the city of Goodyear, a suburb on the western edge of the Phoenix metro area) about 13 years ago. I, like many in the model railroading world, will miss him.
Gary was a major force in the creation of the Desert Ops weekend (http://desertops.org/). Alas, he died two weeks before the first weekend.
The official obituary follows:
Gary Gelzer, age 63, of Goodyear, Arizona, passed away October 13, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Kafitz, and two sisters. Gary’s interests were wide and varied. He was active in the PebbleCreek’s Model Railroad Club and softball program, a sitting Goodyear City Councilman, former chair of the Goodyear Planning and Zoning Committee, an avid soccer fan and world traveler. He served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War, leaving the Service as a Lieutenant Commander, USNR. He held multiple academic degrees: a BA in History, an MBA and a MS in Geographic Systems. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Gary’s name to Kare Bears at 15383 W. Cheery Lynne Rd., Goodyear, AZ 85395, or to Hospice of the Valley at 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix AZ 85014.
*******************************
Our club, PCMRC, has inherited his layout and rolling stock. We are, for a limited time, offering it in tact for sale. Charlotte has been most gracious, even encouraging participation in the first Desert Ops weekend. She also suggested that I host a couple of last operating sessions for folks who had operated on the GNC over the years. She would like to reclaim this part of her home at some time, so we will have to "part it out" unless a buyer steps forward quickly. See http://www.pcmrc.org for details.
Bruce Petrarca, Mr. DCC; MMR #574
