In memoriam: Rail industry execs pay tribute to Nate Henderson

By Steve Bolte, Jay Gowan and Trent Marshall

Our friend Robert Nathan (Nate) Henderson of Lexington, Kentucky, tragically passed away April 18. He was 43.

“Nate was legendarily well connected and well loved,” said Chuck Baker, president of the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association, of which Nate was a valued board member. “He was a truly fun person. Nate was big-hearted, motivated and ambitious, funny, great with people, always up for adventure and smart. He had boundless energy.”

Nate loved the railroad. He had strong friendships with customers and suppliers. If you were his friend, he would do anything for you and you knew it. He genuinely enjoyed hanging out with his industry friends, living each experience to its fullest. His close friends loved him, and he loved them in return. As Nate’s R. J. Corman colleague Chase Armstrong put it: “If our industry was high school, Nate would have been Homecoming King.”

We write this as we return from Nate’s funeral on April 26 — the massive turnout nearly overwhelmed the small Kentucky town of Morehead. The chapel was filled with friends and family who were as touched by Nate as we were. The stories told illuminated a man who lived his short time on Earth to the fullest. Where he found the time to be a best friend to so many — plus to be that kind of brother, son, husband and dad, plus to do what we all saw him do in the railroad industry — we’ll never know. He’s an inspiration.

The son of Vada Lou Fyfe Henderson and the late Leslie Henderson Sr., Nate was born March 19, 1975, in Ashland, Kentucky. In 1993, he graduated from West Carter High School, where he also served as class president. In 1999, he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Morehead State University.

Nate began his railroad career with CSX, eventually holding management positions there. He later held executive positions with R. J. Corman Railroad Group. In December 2017, he became EVP with Midwest Pacific Rail Net & Logistics and a partner in Henderson Rail Services, which he co-founded. He also was managing partner and COO for North American Rail Partners, and CEO of AN Trans.

Nate leaves behind his amazing wife, Amy, and his three fantastic children: Macey, Abby and Zach. His two girls spoke from the stage at the funeral and were poised beyond their years. Zach also wrote a compelling note that was read aloud. Those are three well-raised children and we look forward to what they will become.

Nate adored his children and eagerly attended their school functions. He coached his son’s t-ball, football and basketball teams, and was a supportive “cheer dad” for his girls. He loved cooking and barbecuing, and he and Amy enjoyed hosting family and friends.

A giving link — https://rj-corman.snwbll.com/giving-portal — has been set up to support his family. We hope any person or company that benefited from Nate’s above-and-beyond approach to life and the railroad industry will consider contributing.

Nate, we love you. We promise you and your family will never be forgotten.

Steve Bolte is vice president at Danella Rental Systems Inc.; Jay Gowan is senior vice president at RailWorks Corp.; and Trent Marshall is vice president at Progress Rail.