March 21, 1945 – October 8, 2018
Robert Craig (Bob) Kingsnorth’s train pulled out of the station for its final run on October 8, having covered a lot of miles during its 73 years in service. He was born on March 21, 1945, to Neil George Kingsnorth and Louise Harlowe (Thompson) Kingsnorth in Chicago, the railroad hub that links east, west, north and south. There must have been something in the air. Trains became a passion for Bob from when he was a tot and Santa Claus set up a Lionel train around the Christmas tree.
Bob’s formative years were spent in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where his father established and ran the Dixie Cup plant. Bob obviously inherited his dad’s organizational and engineering skills which began manifesting themselves by middle school in Easton, Pennsylvania. A classmate and long-time friend recalled Bob’s interest in building things ranging from model trains to electronics and gadgets of all kinds. Following a class trip to New York, the two of them imagined how they would redesign the New York subway system to make it more efficient.
Bob was also a meticulous craftsman, reading manuals cover to cover, and was singled out by his shop teacher for his advanced woodworking projects. This skill set later transferred to beautiful model train dioramas and multiple household remodeling projects.
After 9th grade, Bob transferred to Exeter Academy then earned a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Following graduation in 1967, he married Nancy Hofbauer. The couple returned to Bob’s Chicago birthplace where he gained an MBA from Northwestern University. The next two years were spent in Norfolk, Virginia, where Bob served as a Lieutenant in the Navy, and where son David came along in 1970. Daughter Stephanie joined the family in 1973.
Post Navy saw a 29-year-old Bob employed as plant manager for the London division of FMC Corporation. His skills, knowledge, dedication and personality led to increasingly important management positions, with Bob eventually becoming president of various manufacturing divisions and companies that produced products ranging from fire engines to pumps to aircraft systems. In addition to England, his career took him to Indiana, Saudi Arabia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and eventually to California, which became home for almost 20 years.
Children grew up and spouses went their separate ways. After an amicable divorce from Nancy, Bob married Carolyn McEntire (Hudgens) in Pasadena, CA, on September 20, 1997. The following years were filled with more work and travel until a 2003 afternoon sitting in a traffic jam on L.A.’s I-105 freeway convinced them that it was time to retire and move to Oregon.
Having visited friends in Jacksonville for eight years, Jacksonville was “when,” not “if.” A property just outside of town that provided some “elbow room” and a separate structure that could be devoted to model trains overcame any reservations. There Bob pursued his dream model train layout—800 square feet with three-levels incorporating locales and scenery significant to him and buildings named for family and friends. Ever the consummate engineer, he also explored more efficient and practical ways to create a model train layout, and in the process became a regular contributor of articles, photos, and tips to Model Railroader magazine.
Retirement also proved to be anything but. In addition to his model trains, Bob became involved in local community organizations, political issues, travel, grandchildren, and whatever Carolyn volunteered him for. The Jacksonville Boosters Club recognized Bob’s commitment to community by naming him “Booster of the Year” in 2006.
Eight years later, shortly after his last Jacksonville Boosters’ yard sale as pick up guru and “Mother Trucker,” Bob experienced severe back and neck pain. Initially thought to be the results of his volunteer efforts and enthusiasm, it turned out to be advanced multiple myeloma.
After four years of radiation, chemo, surgery, two bone marrow stem cell transplants, and more familiarity with Medford and Portland hospitals than was desirable, Bob succumbed to cancer complications at Rogue Regional Medical Center on October 8th with wife and daughter holding his hands. Family members shared their good-byes on speaker phone.
Bob is survived by his wife Carolyn, sister Sue Rouse (California, MO), son David and daughter-in-law Lisa Schweitzer (Montclair, NJ), daughter Stephanie Kingsnorth and son-in-law Sean Dillon (La Canada, California), and grandsons Justin and Andrew Kingsnorth and granddaughters Payson and Keegan Dillon.
Train buff friends are invited to an open house and last running of Bob’s model trains between 4 and 6 p.m. on Friday, April 26, in the “train room” at 2550 Old Military Road, courtesy of Bob’s train buddies. Friends are invited to join family, sharing memories of Bob and celebrating his life, between 3 and 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, in the U.S. Hotel Ballroom in Jacksonville. Donations in memory of Bob can be made to the Southern Oregon Live Steamers at P.O. Box 1443, Medford, Oregon 97501-1927, to support the on-going maintenance of the Medford Railroad Park.