I met Ric Runyon through David Baker, the locomotive builder, in 1998. In the short time I have know him he became a great friend and an enormous inspiration. These pictures were taken on the day of his memorial, just two weeks after his last steam up. Everyone in these pictures loved Ric, and I know that I can speak for us all when I say we have lost a wonderful friend.
At 10am some of us met up at Lee Barrett's track to have a farewell run. David Passard, Jon Toumanian (sitting) Peter Comley, Lee and Patty Barrett and John Coughran with the memorial train, owned and prepared by David Passard. Ric grew up in LA, and told me many time how much he loved the mighty GS series of engines, so naturally the Daylight was one of his favorite trains, as well as being his favorite Aster.
The Memorial Special, sporting twin tender configuration, and pulling 20 cars.
Lee Barrett prepares his GNR Sterling Single for a run. Ric loved all things English, especially the GWR, and was hugely knowledgeable in every aspect of UK railway history, which was a joy for me as an ex-pat railway enthusiast.
The Sterling gets the all clear....
...and sprints off with it's express....
...under Pete Comley's watchful eye.
Our memorial steam up complete, we head over to the Van Nuys airport for the official Memorial. Passard's loco was on display with pictures of Ric in the ballroom. There were many moving and inspiring speeches from family, friends, fellow steamers, pilots, and business associates.
After the speeches we all walk out to the edge of the runway for the aerial salute.
Left to right, some of Ric's G1 pals, Warren Weiss, Irena & David Barrington Holt, Steve Crise, Andrew Macpherson, Sonny & Wendy Wizelman, Lee Barrett, Andrea & Hal Burchell, John Coughran, Bob Uniack, Pete Comley, Kathy & Gary Raymond, Graham Comley.
An immaculate DC3, owned and flown by one of Ric's oldest friends.
One of the two squadrons of WW2 fighters roars up the runway towards us...
...and veers of into the sunset, in the "Missing Man" formation. A wonderful farewell for a wonderful friend. Adieu Ric, you're missed more than you can ever know.
With his wife Kay, and two of his SP Asters at Pleasanton, May 2000.
Wild and fast as always, his heavily modified GS4 leaps the track after attempting the G1 ballroom speed record.
With Mallard, and a fine rake of J&M Pullmans at Lee Barrett's in spring 2000.
With his favorite engine, his heavily modified Aster GS4, at Pleasanton, May 2000.