Below is the obituary for Dick Whitehead, who worked in an important role (Movement Director) at the LVRR 1972-1976. Dick was featured in the classic "Railfan" Article "Tracking the Apollos" circa 1975. Dick contributed a wealth of information in the most recent (Vol 6?) Bednar Lehigh Valley Morning Sun book. As you can see he was a "boomer" working for several of the northeastern railroads in management capacities. His passing is a loss for his family, the rail history world as well as the professional rail industry (Dick was still active as a Consultant until very recently).
Richard William Whitehead, age 72, died at Paoli Hospital early Sunday morning, March, 16, 2014, after a
long battle with cancer. He has been a resident of Chester County since 1982. Richard was born in Newark,
NJ on October 27, 1941 to William Richard Whitehead and Margaret Wolf Whitehead. He spent his early
years in Tewksbury Twp., NJ and graduated from North Hunterdon Regional High School in 1959. After
graduating from high school, he worked for the PSE&G in Engineering then entered Newark College of
Engineering in pursuit of a degree in Mechanical Engineering. In June of 1965, he followed his love of
railroading and joined the Pennsylvania Railroad Company (PRR) as a Management Trainee in the operating
department. His career in the railroad industry spanned 22 years where he held various management positions
in the operating departments of the PRR, Reading Company, Norfolk & Western Railway, Lehigh Valley
Railroad, Conrail and Amtrak. It was during his employment with the Reading Company as Asst. Trainmaster
at Allentown, PA that he earned his BSME from Lafayette College, Easton, PA in 1970. After leaving Amtrak
in 1987, Richard made use of his railroad operations background and entered the consulting field, working for
several engineering firms, performing work as a Rail Operations Planner and Analyst. More recently, he was
employed by Jacobs Engineering Company as a Rail Operations Consultant. During recent times he, worked
on several large projects for both Amtrak and New Jersey Transit involving infrastructure improvements on
the Northeast Corridor. Richard was a member of the St Cecelia's RC Church in Coatesville, PA. After his
retirement, he continued his work as a conservative activist in the Catholic Church. He was also an active
member of the group Coalition for Advancing Freedom, which advocates for smaller government, less taxes
and more personal freedom and responsibility. Richard is survived by his beloved wife of over 50 years,
Elaine Glaser Whitehead, twin daughters, Margaret Kwak of Downingtown, PA & Linda Sauerteig, (Bill) of
Phoenixville, PA a son William R Whitehead of Coatesville, PA. He also had 6 grandchildren: Joseph &
Teresa Kwak , Amanda & Megan Whitehead, and Alexa & Eric Sauerteig. He is also survived by 5 brothers
and 2 sisters: John of Asbury, NJ, Kenneth of Wind Gap, PA, Stephen of Easton, PA, Charles of Easton,
PA, William Gardner of Citrus Heights, CA, MaryJean, of Nazareth, PA and Holly O'Brien of Portland, Pa.
Richard's funeral mass will be held Friday, March 21, 2014 at 11:30am at St. Cecilia Church 6th Avenue and
Chestnut Streets, Coatesville, where family and friends may call beginning at 10am. Family and Friends may
also call Thursday, March 20 6-8pm Wentz Funeral Home,342 East Chestnut Street, Coatesville 610-384-
0318. Memorials in Richard's honor may be made to Birthright in Coatesville 529 East Lincoln Highway,
Coatesville, PA 19320 or to Covenant House Attn: Sandra Latchman 5 Penn Plaza New York 10001-1810 or
to Benedictine Sisters of Elizabeth, 851 North Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07208.
Richard William Whitehead, age 72, died at Paoli Hospital early Sunday morning, March, 16, 2014, after a
long battle with cancer. He has been a resident of Chester County since 1982. Richard was born in Newark,
NJ on October 27, 1941 to William Richard Whitehead and Margaret Wolf Whitehead. He spent his early
years in Tewksbury Twp., NJ and graduated from North Hunterdon Regional High School in 1959. After
graduating from high school, he worked for the PSE&G in Engineering then entered Newark College of
Engineering in pursuit of a degree in Mechanical Engineering. In June of 1965, he followed his love of
railroading and joined the Pennsylvania Railroad Company (PRR) as a Management Trainee in the operating
department. His career in the railroad industry spanned 22 years where he held various management positions
in the operating departments of the PRR, Reading Company, Norfolk & Western Railway, Lehigh Valley
Railroad, Conrail and Amtrak. It was during his employment with the Reading Company as Asst. Trainmaster
at Allentown, PA that he earned his BSME from Lafayette College, Easton, PA in 1970. After leaving Amtrak
in 1987, Richard made use of his railroad operations background and entered the consulting field, working for
several engineering firms, performing work as a Rail Operations Planner and Analyst. More recently, he was
employed by Jacobs Engineering Company as a Rail Operations Consultant. During recent times he, worked
on several large projects for both Amtrak and New Jersey Transit involving infrastructure improvements on
the Northeast Corridor. Richard was a member of the St Cecelia's RC Church in Coatesville, PA. After his
retirement, he continued his work as a conservative activist in the Catholic Church. He was also an active
member of the group Coalition for Advancing Freedom, which advocates for smaller government, less taxes
and more personal freedom and responsibility. Richard is survived by his beloved wife of over 50 years,
Elaine Glaser Whitehead, twin daughters, Margaret Kwak of Downingtown, PA & Linda Sauerteig, (Bill) of
Phoenixville, PA a son William R Whitehead of Coatesville, PA. He also had 6 grandchildren: Joseph &
Teresa Kwak , Amanda & Megan Whitehead, and Alexa & Eric Sauerteig. He is also survived by 5 brothers
and 2 sisters: John of Asbury, NJ, Kenneth of Wind Gap, PA, Stephen of Easton, PA, Charles of Easton,
PA, William Gardner of Citrus Heights, CA, MaryJean, of Nazareth, PA and Holly O'Brien of Portland, Pa.
Richard's funeral mass will be held Friday, March 21, 2014 at 11:30am at St. Cecilia Church 6th Avenue and
Chestnut Streets, Coatesville, where family and friends may call beginning at 10am. Family and Friends may
also call Thursday, March 20 6-8pm Wentz Funeral Home,342 East Chestnut Street, Coatesville 610-384-
0318. Memorials in Richard's honor may be made to Birthright in Coatesville 529 East Lincoln Highway,
Coatesville, PA 19320 or to Covenant House Attn: Sandra Latchman 5 Penn Plaza New York 10001-1810 or
to Benedictine Sisters of Elizabeth, 851 North Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07208.
KMG-365
