In Memory of one of our founding members and dear friend
James Bernard Perske June 25th 1929 - January 30th 2008
Memories of Jim
This is how we remember Jim. It was always a treat to watch
Jim supporting
the Hobby and handing out the "Junior Engineer" Certificates to
the kids.
I remember meeting Jim for dinner at the VFW 19 years (?) ago - right before his transplant. I thought we had would lose him then. I am very thankful that I have had this time to get to know this very special man over the years since then. I am grateful for that time together.
Mark Wilson
Jim and I first met at Woodcraft on Lake Street. That chance meeting back in the 70's lead to a trip to Winona for a TLR Model Railroad Meet. By 1977 we were regulars at Doug's Friday night operating sessoins. He became a mentor, life long friend and almost a second father. A wonderful guy to "play trains" with. A great role model. We are all better for knowing him. His lust for life displayed itself at every turn. I'll miss this very special man.
Fred Holzapfel
I just met Jim within the last couple of years. Him and all the guys from the G-Whiz Gang drive down to Milwaukee for Trainfest and Green Bay Show. The very first time I sat down with Jim, I knew immediately he was a good person with a great personality and strength. I am going to miss seeing him at the shows.
Ruth Sciano
I first met Jim many years ago when I went to a TLR convention it was either the national in Winnipeg or the Duluth convention that was two years latter. He has been so much a part of my convention experiance over the years that it feel as if I have always known him. There he was always happy to see you again and asking how things were going. I fondly remember my son Paul and myself shareing a room with Jim at the St. Paul national and he was so happy to show us all the little things around downtown that the normal out of town guest would miss. I also remember how sick he was before the transplant years ago and how much more full of life he was afterwards. Since I live in Thunder Bay Ontario I only got to see Jim when I was at a convention or a train show but I am the better for knowing him and having him as a friend. It will not be the same without him at the next convention.
Frank Gerry
Jim was always a joy to be around. He lived on jokes and subtle wise cracks. He was also a gentle soul, who loved trains, sharing knowledge and life. He will truly be missed.
Barb & Hampton Rothwell
A gem of a person, a credit to model railroading.
Fred Headon
I will always remember Jim for his love of the hobby, his love for life and the people that he met. We are richer for meeting you Jim! The hobby has lost a good one.
Dave Downie
Frank Gerry just told me of the passing of Jim. I've been out of the loop for a few years but always remember Jim fondly for taking time to stop and chat with me during the conventions I attended. The last time I was privileged to see him was in Winnipeg where we stood there and nattered on about the models on the modules and who built what. Jim was a gentlemans' gentleman and I will miss him, but am all the richer for having known him.
Peter Hall Kenora, Ontario
I lived in the Twin Cities 1984-1996 and belonged to the TLR during that time. I think I meet Jim at one of those Division Meets at the resturant up north before the VFW. I got to see his home layout shortly after on one of the Saturday evening tours. What a nice guy. Always a smile, always a friendly greeting, a great friend of model railroading. I was great when he got his new heart, it was such a change, in that he became full of life again. He will be missed, but if they have model trains in heaven, he is helping to run the railroad.
Gary Gelzer Great Northwestern Coastline Railway Goodyear, Arizona 'Prompt Service, No Matter How Long It Takes!'
Your second picture of Jim is how I most remember him - preaching the gospel of model railroads to a fascinated youngster. I had the chance, at very many "meets" and conventions, to chat for a moment with Jim, and it was always interesting. Jim will not only be missed, but fondly remembered by many many people.
Bill McKean
Jim was a jewel in the rough. We all knew when his sparkle was passed along to others around him because the smile appeared on faces young and old alike. Now that the spark has faded out, memories remain with the occasional smile along the way. All my best to friends in the TLR and especially to the G Wiz gang. All the way from the south of the Netherlands.
Lloyd Stresman
Hello All, Just a quick note to share with all of you concerning Jim. As many of you probably know, I had a heart attack in October, 1999. During my stay at Abbott Northwestern things were looking pretty bad and the doctors began working me up for a heart transplant. As one of the steps in the process, I was asked if I wanted to talk to someone who had experienced the procedure. I approved and in walked Jim Perske. Needless to say we didn't talk much about my heart problems and the conversation quickly evolved to (you guessed it) railroads. What was said about our respective hearts was enough though. Whatever misgivings about my taking a heart that might have been used to allow another to go on living were put to rest by Jim. He had a way about him and certainly did a lot to calm my fears and reduce my misgivings. As it turned out, my recovery was far better than even the doctors could explain and the transplant never happened.
Over the ensuring years, whenever I met with Jim, which was far too infrequent, the general procedure was to embrace in a "heart-felt" hug - I guess the kind of hug that only people who have shared the prospect of staring death due to heart problems can totally understand. A handshake just wasn't enough. It no doubt looked strange to many, but Jim and I had a mutual, unspoken understanding about what we had shared and just what it meant to both of us. Jim did a great deal for me by visiting me at Abbott and discussing the ordeal that I faced with a no nonsense approach that was a reflection of his understanding and a product of his own ordeal. Thereafter, I thanked him every time I saw him, but to this day, I feel like it was never enough. Like everyone that knew Jim, I will miss him dearly! He was good friend, always positive and a fine example to all those he helped in his volunteer work at Abbott. I truly feel sorry for all those who now will have to face the prospect of dealing with heart problems without Jim's assistance. I cherish the memory of Jim working the trains at shows and getting young children involved in model railroading. He was a kind and caring person on all levels. We were all extremely lucky to have known such a first rate, quality gentleman and he made us all better examples of the human element!
John C. Luecke
Jim you were a wonderful friend. Thank you very very much!
Guy Halvorson
I'm not going to pretend that I knew Jim well, but we were acquainted and ran into each other at shows. I don't remember when I first met Jim, but he made my wife, Patrice, and I feel welcome at NMRA North Star 1999 when we volunteered in the Junior modeler program room and worked in the company store. I know Jim was active at times in the Thousand Lakes Region/NMRA and gave advice 20-plus years ago to the guys that founded the Prairie Lakes Division and Minnesota River Valley Division. Jim came down to Estherville in Oct. 2006 to celebrate PLD's 20th with us. Jim also was with the G Whiz layout when Patrice and I had our CM&E N scale at the World's Greatest Hobby show in St. Paul about 2-3 years ago. He was handing out his Jr. Engineeer certificates to the kids and making a lot of people smile. The hobby and the various NMRA groups in the area has lost a great ambassador. I'll miss you, Jim.
Terry Davis, Hutchinson, Minn. (Luce Line club, PLD and MRVD.)
We live far from Minnesota and had only been with Jim & Audrey on two brief occasions. The first was on the 1998 NMRA rail tour through the Swiss Alps. What a great individual and unique personality we came to know, full of humor and totally enjoying the many great mountain rail experiences. At the final banquet Jim joked about Minnesota weather, "Winter is here, and winter is coming!" Over the years we shared Christmas greetings. Then in August 2006 we were able to visit with the Perske's at their fine lakeside cottage in Alexandria, MN. Though brief, these were cherished moments and my photos from those occasions are among my favorites.
Frank & Jan Baldwin, Sisters, Oregon
16 Feb 2008 Back in the 1980's we started our Twin Cities Division/NMRA, Jim became very dear to me when he made a big presentation of giving me a geen CNW winter jacket at a meeting. That was the first time I hugged a model railroader, but not the last. Jim has always been there for all ages, so young at heart (even before the transplant) and supportive of all. It was great to see him working with the wee ones, his face was just as full of light as the kids. I will miss him at this next annual TCD meeting in May, oh he'll be there, but we just won't hear his quiet manner keeping us all on track. Keep teaching us Jim!
De Smith Lindeen
I sat at a round table for the dinner banquet at the 2006 St. Paul TLR Convention; and, my memory of this simple event was a lasting impression of Jim Perske. Jim Perske, Lowell Wood and his closest model railroad friends shared the intimate enjoyment and friendship that this hobby provided. It extended from within his personal life as he respected others with affirmative direction and words of life.
I admired Mr. Perske and the accomplishments and success of the Perske Bottling Company located on a special siding of the Minneapolis and Northland Railroad (Les Breuer - President). His portrait hangs in the lobby of his successful enterprise.
Thomas E. Mauszycki MMR #388
Greetings,
I learned of Jim's death this week. Living in Wausau WI Jim would always stop at Pope's Hobbyland (my place of employment) when he was in town. His mother lived just down the street before she died. I talked with Jim at Trainfest and he told me he had Leukemia. Jim had a heart transplant 15-20 years ago, their wasn't a lot they could do for the leukemia because of the anti rejection drugs he was on for his heart. On a personal level Jim thought it nice that my family all joined together to work our Mountain Modelcraft booth http://www.modeltrain.com at the various train shows. He always asked about the boys when he'd stop by our booth. I told my wife Terri of his passing, she said she always enjoyed talking with him and noted his eyes were the bluest of blue.
May you rest in peace Jim.
Dave Conrad
Pope's Hobbyland
640 S 3rd Ave
Wausau, WI 54401
715-842-4371