Van Anne "Critical" Following Car-Train Crash

[Lou Van Anne]

Not me! Sixty years ago, 10/3/1951, Rock Rapids Iowa, my Uncle Paul lost his life in this crash. He was one of the partners of Van Anne Implement Co. along with my Uncle Bob and my father Francis. They were dealers for Studebaker, Allis-Chalmers, New Holland, New Idea and Farm Hand. The Van Annes are still in the farm machinery business and still drive Studebakers!
Lou Van Anne

[Sdude]

You gave me a big scare!!!!! Glad to read you were reminiscing and that it was not notification of something terrible happening to you.

Sorry about the sad anniversary. That was a brand new Studebaker too.

[55coupe]

Me too. Don't do that again.

[56H-Y6]

Hi

What a tragedy! So many times that happened to folks in the days before automatic gates and flashing lights rather than the old painted sawbucks. Folks were so used to driving the same route daily, had other things on their minds, never gave the possibility of a train at thought. We have two railroad crossing here in town, before the flashing lights and gates were installed, many more train-car accidents occurred.

Of course, everyone here is absent-minded, so it wasn't a surprise!

Steve

[Bill Pressler]

Lou, sorry for your loss. I'm sure he's missed all these many years later.