Good Evening, All,
This is Ruth, Roy's Wife. Roy and I had a very deep love and connection that will never end. His untimely death has been a terrible shock to me, as well as to his children and their mother, and, of course, all those who knew him -- legislators, lobbyists, railfans, close friends. There truly are no words that can express the sorrow and pain we know feel. I only know that Roy has already blown a train whistle or two in Heaven.

Roy and I have been commuting between Sacramento and Lakeway, Texas, since we married in April 2002. Five and a-half years are not enough time to spend with the love of one's life. Roy and I attended the NRHS National Convention together when it was held at the Grand Canyon. We also traveled to Cuba with the PLA in early 2003, which was a life-long dream come true for him. He road some very rare rail miles, sat on the top of a steam engine, got to engineer one at a sugar mill, road the Cuban Hershey Line and got to blow the whistle at a cow that just wouldn't be moved off the tracks. He was truly in his element. In 2004, I surprised him with a birthday gift train trip to Portland, Oregon, where we visited downtown Portland, road the light rail and the downtown, took the Mount Hood round trip senic tour, and chased trains from the Oregon border crossing over to the Washington border. Another life-long dream come true. This December, 2006 -- New Year's Eve weekend-- we went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where we road the Santa Fe Railway train. We did not make it to Lamy, but nearly, making it to El Dorado due to the unexpected snow storm. We did many things together, and each time I see a train, which I never paid much attention to before we met, I will always remember him and thank him for opening my eyes and ears.

Roy had a wonderful mind and great compassionate heart. As was his habit, telephone numbers or e-mail addresses were not written in an address book, of a sort; just in the address book of his memory. If there are folks that you know Roy knew, would you let me know so that I can either e-mail them, or phone them.

I will be receiving all of Roy's mail at our Texas address. That address is 218-B Sailmaster Street, Lakeway, TX 78734. If you wish to contact me, I can be reached at the home phone:(512) 261-1802, or my cell phone: (512) 657-8381.

Regards,
Ruth (Gabriel)