Accident claims lives of two NRC members

In a letter addressed to members of the National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC), NRC President Chuck Baker wrote:

“NRC Members and friends, With deep sadness, I write to let you know that two members of the NRC family, Mark Meyer and his wife Holly, passed away on Friday night, April 8, after being involved in a fatal traffic accident in Texas.

“Mark and Holly, residents of Weatherford, Texas, were riding tandem on a motorcycle on FM-156 near Alliance Airport, north of Fort Worth, Texas, and close to the Texas Motor Speedway. Around 10 p.m., their motorcycle collided with a tractor-trailer cab truck that was making a U-turn on the road.

“Mark was the Equipment Director for Balfour Beatty Rail, based in Jacksonville, Fla. Mark was a nationally renowned expert in rail construction and maintenance equipment, and he was actively involved in many industry issues. Mark served exceptionally well as chairman of the NRC Equipment Auction Committee last year, when the auction was held at Balfour Beatty’s facility in Washington, Pa.

“Mark joined Balfour Beatty Rail in 2008 from BNSF, where he worked for 34 years managing railway equipment maintenance, repairs and operations. Mark’s presence, his personal and professional contributions, his integrity, his competence, and his friendship, will be deeply missed.”

Baker’s letter noted services will be held at the Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home in Mark’s hometown, Lincoln, Neb., this Saturday, April 16, at 10:00 a.m. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mark and Holly’s name to the charity of your choice. Particularly recommended is the SmileTrain organization, which Mark had supported generously for many years. Online donations can be made here, on a special page created in his memory. The NRC will be making a contribution in Mark’s name.