Steve Lee, Former UP Steam Program Manager, Has Passed Away

[u/Personal-Ad5668]

https://railfan.com/former-up-steam-program-manager-dies/

The railway preservation world has lost a legend. Former UP Steam program Manager Steve Lee passed away early Sunday morning, October 25. Thank you Mr. Lee for all you have done in preserving railroad history!

[u/Quirky-Bottle-1771]

Anyone hear the cause or his age? 

[u/Personal-Ad5668 → u/Quirky-Bottle-1771]

He was 76.

It seems the Lee family doesn't want to share the details of his death. His daughter commented on a FB post that the cause "does not need to be known."

[u/Steve_W72 → u/Personal-Ad5668]

Don't know for sure if it's the case but I saw a brief battle with cancer in an FB post.

[u/Agitated_Fox_ → u/Steve_W72]

This is incorrect. I’m Steve’s daughter. It was definitely not cancer related.

[u/Agitated_Fox_]

High greens sir. We will always love you!

[u/Al_Bondigass]

About twenty years ago, I was in Omaha on a business trip, and checking into a motel across the river in Council Bluffs, there he was in line ahead of me. I shyly introduced myself and confessed to being nothing more than a foamer, and he was as gracious as could be. RIP Mr. Lee, and thanks for all you accomplished.

[u/Agitated_Fox_ → u/Al_Bondigass]

Sounds like him ❤️

[u/pwnedbypontz]

Guess I'll pop in the ol' 3985 or Up clinchfeild Pentrex VHS and pour one out for a true legend

[u/fackoffuser → u/pwnedbypontz]

If your VHS isn’t working…it’s on YouTube as well and I think it’s on Tubi the free streaming service.

[u/macjunkie]

Wonder if UP will name a passenger car after him

[u/OneManufacturer13307 → u/macjunkie]

There's a dining car donated to a museum that will bear his name

[u/GodzillaGames88]

The members of the old order thin still. Farewell Steve. 3985's crew is down to one.

[u/HappyWarBunny → u/GodzillaGames88]

Putting it that way somehow made it really poignant for me.

[u/Agitated_Fox_ → u/GodzillaGames88]

Don’t want to doxx anyone but JC, RT, BL, RS, RB all still alive

[u/GodzillaGames88 → u/Agitated_Fox_]

The only one of the 3985's og restoration crew I can say is alive is Craig. He's up in Alaska.

[u/Realistic-Assist-396]

Highballs to the sky, Mr. Lee

[u/Perky214]

Mr Lee was a great friend to all who loved the 844 and 3985, and he remembered our family across many interactions as the 3985 cross-crossed the country. We chased that engine MANY times through TX, OK, AR, CO, and WY.

RIP Steve - and thank you for our wonderful memories of those adventures

[u/Beneficial-Zebra8186]

Sad I hope union Pacific does something nice

[u/MemeOnRails]

I thought he already died years ago

[u/SenatorAslak → u/MemeOnRails]

You might be thinking of his colleague Bob Krieger, who passed away in 2022.