Rick Corman: He brought his own kind of color to the dance; plus LRIW lauds NS' Deb Butler

— by Pat Foran, Editor

We've lost a real rail renaissance man, an inspirational leader who brought his own kind of color to the dance. On Aug. 23, R.J. Corman Railroad Group founder Rick Corman died at his Nicholasville, Ky., home after a 12-year battle with multiple myeloma. He was 58.

An entrepreneur's entrepreneur, Corman founded a railroad construction company the same year he graduated from high school. He built the business into a diversified service provider and short-line operator with 1,150 employees in more than 20 states. In short: Corman got things done. More than that, he got others to want to get things done. Said R.J. Corman Railroad Group President Craig King: "Mr. Corman will be remembered for his character, energy, determination, generosity and vision."

And then there's all that color — from the richness of his deep, quick laugh to his sparkling personality to the splendor of his Corman Red jacket. In response to our news item on Corman's passing, Mike Gillespie, a native Kentuckian who is senior minister at South Side Christian Church in Munster, Ind., wrote: "While it has been said that no one sticks their hand into a bucket of water and leaves a [hole] in the water when they pull it out, I'd say that the passing of Rick Corman comes close, in both the industry he served and in our home state."

Hole or no hole, there's a little less color in the world; Rick Corman created a pigment all his own. But it's there with the Crayolas. When the palette calls for a little Corman Red, we'll know where to find it. And who to thank.

NS' Deb Butler is LRIW's 'Woman of the Year'

The League of Railway Industry Women has named Norfolk Southern Corp. Executive Vice President of Planning and Chief Information Officer Deb H. Butler as the recipient of its 2013 "Outstanding Woman of the Year Award." Sponsored by Progressive Railroading, the award recognizes an individual's dedication, commitment and contribution to the rail industry.

Butler joined the Southern Railway System in 1978 as a customer account auditor in the accounting department. In 1979, she was promoted to supervisor of car distribution in the railway's operations control center. For the next 28 years, she held increasingly responsible positions in NS' operating department. In 2007, Butler was appointed to her current position.

A noted mentor who serves and has served on numerous corporate and community organization boards, the engaging Butler will be recognized on Sept. 30 during the opening session of Railway Interchange 2013 in Indianapolis. Congratulations, Deb.