Wilson “Butch” Tanis September 26, 1940 – May 31, 2022
Wilson Tanis, from here on known as Butch to all who knew him, mainly because he never corrected anyone who called him by that name. Butch was always a mild-mannered individual, never flustered, never antagonistic, he got along with everyone and assisted anyone who asked for help. He was also one of the original members of the organization, but he was a founding member! Butch was a member of the old Lauderdale Shore Lines group that transitioned into the SFRM. A tireless individual who was instrumental in both the LSL and the SFRM successes in the areas of train shows. He had a knack for organization and could set up a train shows vendor tables in minutes, at a minimum 15, maximum 30, unless it was a national. Yes, he also organized the 100 +, or so vendors and dealers at the yearly national NMRA train shows.
I always found it odd that a man that was so experienced in the marine business was so competent in modeling small trains, or even had an interest in trains. Matter of fact I was unaware that he had such and long career in the marine business that traced back to the 1960s. Luckily for us who benefited from his presence, we could thank his father for bringing him south from the cold climes of Ohio, to open a …. marine business, go figure.
Butch’s main interest in our hobby was in the detailing, painting, lettering, and weathering of motive power, freight and passenger equipment in HO scale. He would show up with a different piece of equipment, put it on the track and we could watch it run flawlessly. Something that started out as hobby turned into a sideline business for him. You could always find Butch, apron hooked around his neck, tied at the waist, change machine clipped to his belt. Standing in front of his table and adjusting his wares to the best angle for display at many of the train shows and
conversing with anyone close to him. He was a font of information, not an expert of any particular railroad but a working knowledge of them all. On occasion, he did venture into doing what he knew best in other scales, albeit rarely, but the results of his departure from the norm were just as exemplary.
Butch was many things to many of our members. To the overworked ones he was the answer to improving their collection of trains. Getting a piece of equipment from him meant that you had an instantaneous example to show off on the next visit to a layout. To the inquisitive, he would guide you to the manufacturer, or vendor who could satisfy your quest. For the newer members asking about the hobby and its importance he would take you on a tour of the past, the good and not so good. But no matter what the story, everything ended with a positive spin.
As I said of another member who has passed. There is no replacing the man, nor the knowledge, nor experience he shared, nor the spirit.
A personal note, I remember one evening Butch was at the museum, he said good night and left, within minutes he was back. “My truck won’t start. It got me here and it won’t turn over.” Luckily the engine compartment of his truck was not incased in sheet metal and you had some space to maneuver. I went to his truck, smacked the starter motor with a hammer a few times, came back and told him it’s fixed, but get a new Bendix. He thanked me and went home. Next time I saw him, he offered a beautiful rendition of 40’ gondola with lumber load and asked me what reporting marks I wanted on it. He was very giving of himself and his abilities.
Hermann Roessel was one of the original members of the organization, not a founding member, but original and he was original in many ways. He was stoic, opinionated, bull headed, argumentative, inventive, and open to helping whomever that needed it. He enjoyed conversing with others and passing on his knowledge of subjects that interweaved with model railroading. He was not a railfan, unless it was European, although he would be intent if you were relaying a non-European story, his focus was modeling. Scale had no boundary, he covered the gamut, all scales, all eras, he even got involved with live steam engines.
His approach to a problem was pondering, his knowledge and experience allowed him to be creative as he pondered. So, he pondered and then he pondered some more and usually his solution was to invent something, it could be logical, it could be illogical and off the wall, but for the better part his approach worked. His experience (a machinist by trade) in engineering, both mechanical and electrical provided him the knowledge necessary in building and repairing model trains. His work for the museum was tireless and even more tireless was his attentiveness for those who came through the door with childhood relics in need of repair. All were accepted without hesitation.
His desire to pass on that knowledge is reflected in the many ideas that he made a reality. He felt it necessary to teach the younger members the basics of model railroading and it has and does show in their activities around the museum.
He was born in Nuremberg, Germany, a “War Baby”, not a “Baby Boomer”, unfortunately for him, he was on the wrong end of the war in Europe. After the war he immigrated to America and then when he became of age, he became part of the army that years earlier his country was fighting.
The repair room, or office if you will, is named “Hermann’s Werkstadt” in honor of his ethos and heritage. It is where he spent the majority of his time helping others and it shall remain as such in his memory. Anyone who utilizes the area will have his influence overseeing their efforts. His presence within the museum will never be filled, as I said he was an original, the mold was broken. There is no replacing the man, nor the knowledge, nor the experience he shared, nor the spirit. He is missed by all who have met him and by those who will not have the opportunity to meet him.
Wilson “Butch” Tanis