RIP Andre Meyerowitz

[John Ashworth]

Friends of the Rail would like to extend its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Andre Meyerowitz, who died of a heart attack on Tuesday 7th August 2007 aged 62. Andre, a senior assistant editor at the Pretoria News, was a longstanding friend and supporter of FOTR who often rode on our trains and ensured that they got some coverage in his newspaper.

The following extracts from the obituary in the Pretoria News (8th August 2007, p4) refer to Andre's interest in trains:

"One of Meyerowitz's great loves was trains, and pity the reporter who confused trains, engines and locomotives. He travelled to Europe and the East to experience some of the greatest train rides in the world first hand. His son Mark said one of his fondest memories as a child was going on train trips with his father. At the time of his death, Meyerowitz was editing a book on SA trains."

"Andre had interests outside journalism, notably ferroequinology - 'the study of iron horses' - and nothing made him happier than the prospect of a train trip. He had travelled across the world to see trains, ride on them and even drive them. All those who work at the Pretoria News and those who have done so before pay tribute to a great journalist and a true gentleman. He was our train driver..."

Another colleague wrote, "I hope he's found the best seat on the train and has ordered a crayfish sandwich with the best cabernet they have to offer."

We at FOTR can only echo all those sentiments.

[Steve Appleton]

Andre was once a work colleague of mine and we travelled overseas together a number of years ago as part of a small group researching computer systems for use in newspapers.
Where I planned for us to get around by air, Andre insisted that we each acquire and use a first class 'railpass'. We did many miles on trains around the UK over a few weeks, entertained by Andre's good knowledge of the systems we were travelling over.
Whilst, in my spare time, I doing the honourable family thing, visiting relatives, Andre spent the time researching yet another little known branch line, travelling there and back for free to see 'how far it was!
My condolences to Andre's family and friends. We all will miss you.