Overview
Learn about Gail F. Meintzer's philosophies from lessons learned the hard way, as he took the long road less traveled on the iron highway. Travel with Gail F. Meintzer as he journeys with the railroad system from Deerfield, Illinois to Milwaukee, Wisconsin across the plains to Seattle, Washington before he heads to Des Moines, Minneapolis, and the Windy City. Then one more destination, as he finally settles in Green Bay, Wisconsin. As a clerk-typist, he made a name for himself in the Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, placing second in the Oklahoma City Times Bowling tournament, and then leading his regiments' bowling team in winning the Fort Sill Bowling Championship. Drafted in 1944 into the U.S. Army during World War II, he was one of the lucky ones and didn't see battle. In 1947, he married the love of his life, Neva, and they had five children together. To care for his family, Gail F. Meintzer worked for the railroad for 42 years, retiring as Director, Intermodal Sales for the Milwaukee Road in 1985. His adventures weren't over as he and his wife traveled to visit their children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. A U.S. Army Veteran of World War II and the Korean War, Gail F. Meintzer shares his story as a die-hard railroader for the first time in Detours: A Memoir of a Railroad Man.
Full Product Details
Author: Gail F Meintzer
Publisher: Written Dreams Publishing
Imprint: Written Dreams Publishing
Dimensions:
Width: 15.20cm
, Height: 1.60cm
, Length: 22.90cm
Weight: 0.476kg
ISBN: 9780998167350
ISBN 10: 0998167355
Pages: 218
Publication Date: 14 January 2017
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
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Reviews
What a delightful read! DETOURS covers the life of an accomplished, successful railroad veteran from a young lad growing up in the Depression-era, who has an inquisitive, searching mind and a loving family, to having a successful career in the railroad industry. It was noteworthy how Mr. Meintzer took lessons from early life and applied them in his varied career. Some of the hijinks he got himself into, both as a kid and as adult in life, were so genuine and entertaining. With a number of health issues being confronted in life, I was left with the impression that Mr. Meintzer indeed has 9 lives! He performed an important service to his family by taking the time to chronicle his life. -Gordon Jonasson, Former Superintendent of Transportation, Milwaukee Road I liked this book. As a retired member of the U.S. Army who served in some very non-traditional and unique areas, it is a pleasure to read of others who served in unique ways. While my years in uniform were well after Mr. Meintzer's, even then we had soldiers who had special and unique occupations and duties. Reading of his experiences was a joy and he tells the story well. I am also a huge fan of nostalgic normal people history. Anecdotes about growing up in days past are powerful to me. Reading his experiences and stories in some ways was like reading my father's stories. I very much enjoyed reading DETOURS and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in nostalgic American History. -Don Herrmann, MSG, U.S. Army Retired
Author Information
Gail F. Meintzer started working for the railroad system before he was drafted into the U.S. Army for World War II, and he served again during the Korean War. Married to Neva Jewell in 1947, they had five children together. He retired as Director, Intermodal Sales from Milwaukee Road in 1985. Today they have 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. They celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on June 21st, 2016. To contact Mr. Meintzer, please visit www.writtendreams.com.
