Ernest L. Clausing

Ernest L. Clausing, 87 Pennsylvania Railroad Retiree Ernest L. Clausing, 87, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2011 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his loving family. He was a resident of Swarthmore, PA for 23 years. Previously, he resided in Wallingford, PA for 19 years. He was born on February 27, 1924 to Mortiz and Bertha (Korspeter) Clausing in Rising Sun, IN. Ernest was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother. Even as a child he loved trains and railroading. Railroading was a life long passion and work career. His love was not just for the trains, but for the transportation system and how things worked. He started his work career with the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1947. He was hired as a junior engineer and was assigned to Crestline, OH. During his career he served in numerous locations on the PRR system. His final assignment in track maintenance was track supervisor for North Philadelphia region from 1955 until spring 1961. At that time he took on a new assignment for the PRR to develop system-wide operations standards. He receiving training in operations research and became an industry pioneer in system computer simulations. After 27 years he completed his work at the Pennsylvania Railroad and took his skills into consulting. He began his consulting career with TAD Associates in 1974. For the next 33 years he lent his expertise to several consulting firms. He retired from the active workforce at the age of 79. After retirement he continued to engage in his passion for railroading. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society and wrote numerous articles for their publications, the Keystone and Keystone Chronicles.In more recent years he was contributor to a series of books by Robert Yanosey, Pennsylvania Railroad Facilities. At his death he was still engaged in this work. Ernest's life was exemplified by integrity and commitment. All those that knew him has respect for him and his ethics. Ernest was a member of the Swarthmore Presbyterian Church for 23 years and served as a Deacon. Survivors: He was survived by his wife of 63 years, Cleora J. Clausing (Weber), two daughters, Beverly Miller (spouse Michael Miller) of Beaver Falls, PA and Wanda Armitage (spouse Lawrence Armitage) of Chadds Ford, PA and two siblings, a sister Louise Anthony (spouse Carl Anthony) of East Canton, OH, and a brother, Rev. John Clausing (spouse Ruth Clausing). He was also survived by five grandchildren, Lonnie Armitage (spouse Mariah Armitage) of McKinney, TX, April Armitage Mullen (spouse Tim Mullen) of Coatesville, PA, Melissa Armitage of Kansas City, MO, Rebecca Miller Sanker (spouse Michael Sanker) of McKees Rocks, PA, Lauren Miller of Beaver Falls, PA, and by three great-grandchildren, Ethan Armitage, Evan Armitage, and Kaleb Mullen. Service: Private services will be held for Family at the Church on Tuesday, August 9, 1011 at 10:00 AM. They will be officiated by Associate Pastor Lisa Day of the Swarthmore Presbyterian Church. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, 727 Harvard Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081. Arrangements made by the James M. Brower Funeral Home, Wallingford, PA