Visiting Contributors – Patricia Miller, Michael M. Bartels, and James J. Reisdorff – Train Photos from Nebraska: The Vernacular Rail Images of Fred Ritter Jr.

Join us as we welcome contributors, Patricia Miller, Michael Bartels, and James Reisdorff, of the book Train Photos from Nebraska!

About the Artist:
Fred Ritter Jr. was a Swiss immigrant farmer living near Tilden, Neb., in the early 20th century. He was also a railroad enthusiast who took snapshot-quality images of steam and diesel locomotives, passenger trains and small-town depots during the era when trains were still essential to the way of life in small towns across both Nebraska and the U.S.  As a result, these rare images serve as examples of one man’s perspective on railroading during those years. This story tells of time and place as interpreted by Fred Ritter, Jr. through photography. It also tells of Fred’s love for both trains and family, and how the two intertwined.

About the Contributors:
Patricia Miller was raised on a farm near Tilden, Neb., where she lived across the road from her paternal grandparents, Fred and Ella Ritter.  Much of her childhood was spent with Fred, a Swiss immigrant whose varied hobbies included photography, railroads and travel. Although he passed away in 1975, she has sought to memorialize her multi-talented ancestor.  A 1975 graduate of Doane College in Crete, Patricia spent her career teaching music in schools in Elgin and Neligh, Neb., and as a private piano teacher. Four years following the death of her first husband, Jim, she married David Shipley and they moved to Lincoln. They sing in the Plymouth Choir and Patricia still teaches piano to several students at Neligh via Zoom.

Michael M. Bartels has lived in Lincoln for most of his life, except for a short period of time in Grand Island, Neb. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and worked as a copy editor for the Lincoln-Journal. As the author or co-author of more than 20 books on railroad history, he also contributes to various newsletters and other publications of rail enthusiasts and historical groups.

James J. Reisdorff is a native and resident of David City, Neb. He is a 1978 graduate of Creighton University, with a degree in journalism. In addition to doing freelance newspaper work, he established South Platte Press in 1982 as an outlet for publishing railroad history of the Great Plains region. To date, his publishing concern has produced more than 100 titles related to railroad topics, including Train Photos From Nebraska.

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