Richard Corman

NICHOLASVILLE - Richard Jay "Rick" Corman, a Nicholasville railroad entrepreneur, died August 23, 2013 from multiple myeloma. He was at home, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Corman was born in Jessamine County, KY to the late James "Jay" William and Maudie Corman. He graduated from Jessamine County High School and was a running enthusiast and pilot. Mr. Corman saw opportunities where others didn't, and worked hard to make his vision a reality. He founded a railroad construction company in 1973, the same year he graduated from high school. Through hard work and exemplary customer service, he built his business into the R. J. Corman Railroad Group, a diversified railroad service provider that includes R. J. Corman Railroad Construction, R. J. Corman Derailment Services, R. J. Corman Material Sales, R. J. Corman Railroad Company, My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, Lexington Dinner Train and many other service lines. The company has 1,150 employees and operates in more than 21 states. The short line company, R. J. Corman Railroad Company, was awarded the Railway Age Magazine 2007 Short Line of the Year. He is survived by Tammie L. Taylor, with whom he shared his life; his sister, Sandra (Jerry) Adams, of Nicholasville; five children: Amy (David) Page, Nicholasville, Richard Justin "R. J." (Amanda) Corman, of Hendersonville, NC, Jay Richard (Rebekah) Corman, Nicholasville, Shawna Ashlee Corman and her fianc , Andrew Bramblett, Nicholasville, and April (Korey) Corman-Colyer, Nicholasville; as well as four grandchildren, Richard Jay and Abigail Corman, Caroline and Ben Page, and nephews, Brandon and Tyler Adams. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2001, Mr. Corman was deeply appreciative of his physicians, including personal physician Kathleen Martin, M.D., oncologist Paul G. Richardson, M. D., consulting physician Joe Richardson, M.D., oncology researcher Kenneth C. Anderson, M.D., oncologist Scott T. Pierce, M.D., consulting physicians Nicholas Issa, M.D., Mark Dougherty, M.D., and Thomas von Unrug, M.D. Mr. Corman established the R. J. Corman Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at Harvard. He also provided the lead gift that helped make the Saint Joseph Jessamine, RJ Corman Ambulatory Care Center a reality in 2009. Earlier this year, another contribution funded the Sandra J. Adams Digital Mammography Suite at that medical center. Honorary bearers include: Luther Deaton, William Walter Halfhill, Ben Taylor, Gene Cocanougher, Denver Shuman, Fred Mudge, David Irvin, Craig King, and David Cravens. Public visitation will be held from 1-8pm Sunday, August 25 in Hangar 1 on the property of R. J. Corman Railroad Group, 101 R. J. Corman Drive in Nicholasville. The funeral service will be at 4pm Monday, August 26, also in Hangar 1. Hager & Cundiff Funeral Home of Nicholasville is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the R. J. Corman Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at Harvard. Paul G. Richardson 450 Brookline Avenue Mayer 228 Boston, MA 02115. The family would also like to encourage everyone who can to donate blood and platelets as they significantly helped Mr. Corman and continue to help others.