William F. Chew, Jr. (b. 1/26/1931 - d. 11/15/2010) R.I.P.

From: "Chris Graves" caliron@att.net

I learned today of the death of William F. "Bill" Chew, author of "Nameless Builders of the Transcontinental".

Bill was born in San Francisco on January 26, 1931, he died in Playa del Rey, Calif. on November 15, 2010.

Following his retirement as an aerospace engineer, Bill dedicated his energy and time to learning about the Chinese experience on the building of the Central Pacific Railroad. His widow perhaps expressed his work best by saying that "he marched to his own drummer"; it would be fair to say that he and I didn't always view the same subject equally, however he was always the gentleman in expressing his views. Bills' work inspired many of us in the railroad historical community to go back and re-examine our views, his efforts to have all join in his understanding of the building of the CPRR were never ending.

Bill was proud of his Chinese heritage, but even more proud of being an American and contributing to the American society.

He will be missed.

—G J Chris Graves, NewCastle, Cal.