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CARL ARENDT Obituary
After a long illness, Carl Arendt, died on March 4, 2011 in Olympia, Washington. Carl came to Pittsburgh to attend Carengie Mellon where he graduated with a degree in physics and met Sheila, his wife of 49 years. Shortly afterward Carl started work for Westinghouse Electric Corporation where he spent his entire career. During this time, he and Sheila raised their sons; Giles Arendt and Christopher and Richard Tauson. Following retirement from Westinghouse, Carl threw himself into the world of micro-railroading, authored three books on the subject and maintained a website with a worldwide following. He and Sheila moved to Olympia in 2009 to be close to their son Giles and his family, where he enjoyed time with his three grandchildren. His wit, erudition, and above all his creativity made Carl a joy to be with, either in the real or virtual world. His loving family, friends and many fans are really going to miss him.
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Gary Miller
March 2, 2021
Every time I'm considering a change to my existing railroad or thinking about another small, challenging layout, Carl's books and website provide the inspiration to get the job done.
Gary M
March 2, 2020
I still reference the plans from time to time. Have all of the books and CD's too. I am thankful that a couple of my plans were added to the scrapbook.
Paco
March 2, 2019
I miss Carl and his knowledge of miniature railways. And I always will admired his sense of humour in sharing it with rail devotees of the whole world. He wiil always be remembered.
ESTELLE WEISSBURG
September 22, 2011
I KNEW CARL ONLINE ONLY. AS A FRIEND OF OUR COMMON ACQUAINTANCE, HE HELPED ME HANDLE MY MACINOSH COMPUTER. I WAS A LONELY USER WHO HAD NEEDS AND QUESTIONS THAT CARL PLEASANTLY ANSWERED.
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Reynolds Clark
May 9, 2011
As I read through all of the messages of condolences, it became very apparent that Carl's infectious personality had spread world-wide. But I also noted that there was no one listed from the former Westinghouse Electric Corporation where Carl worked for so many years. As a fellow marketing communications executive at Westinghouse, Carl and I worked on numerous projects together. His wit, wisdom, and professionalism made it a joy to work with him.
May he rest in peace.
May 3, 2011
We at Barberton High School always knew Carl would make a mark. He was a pleasure to know. Ruth Neitz Fairbee
April 28, 2011
I was terribly sad to hear about Carl's death. Over the years he has inspired so many of us and given us such pleasure. I feel I have lost a good friend and will miss him a great deal. Terry Guyatt, London, England.
John Sabelis
April 25, 2011
Remembering an inspired man; inspiring people world-wide.
Harald Hohendorf
April 16, 2011
Very sorry to hear of Carl's passing. His website was a unique source of inspiration. I will miss his informative work and research. He was a great credit to the hobby.
Reinoud Kaasschieter
April 15, 2011
I was shocked when I heard about the passing of Mr. Carl Arendt. I've always felt honored he had published some of my plans on his website. And for the compliments he gave me for my ideas. His experience, knowledge and inspiration will be missed. He was a true master of the art of small model railroads.
John M Johnsey
April 12, 2011
What a nice man. Truely a gentleman.
Iain Climie
April 10, 2011
Please accept my condolences on Carl's passing. We exchanged a few E-Mails and he was always helpful, funny and encouraging - a complete gentleman. The web site gave me much pleasure over the years and was a welcome distraction from everyday toil and frustration - isn't this what we want from a hobby?
Iain Climie
Hampshire (UK)
John Bates
March 30, 2011
Terribly sad to hear the news of Carl's passing. The brilliant website has been a constant port of call since I discovered it several years ago. Deepest condolences to your family and friends.
Steven Volz
March 25, 2011
Carl, you were an inspiration to countless hordes around the world. I always looked forward to your next opus and read every one with pleasure. Your memory will outlast us all, young and old. My thoughts are with your family and friends. Rest in Peace.
March 23, 2011
Godspeed, Carl. We never met, but exchanged a few e-mails, & your site was always a pleasure & an inspiration to myself & my boys. You will be greatly missed & I know there are many who have expressed interest in maintaining the site to which you devoted so much time & which brought so many smiles. You have a green signal, Carl. Hope to see you someday at the end of the line. --- mvg (Berea, OH)
Jeffrey-Gareth Edwards
March 23, 2011
Carl, from the emails you sent me about your other love Micro RR-ing, I was pleased to know you and now am sorry for your passing. Your efforts were so appreciated!
Pax Vobiscum!
-Gareth
Robert Webb
March 22, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with Carl's family, And I'm very sad we had to lose one of the worlds most talented person. We were inspired with his knowledge and with his expertise that showed in everything he did. May we all have peice that he is resting well. Rest in peice Carl, Robert Webb
Andrew Smith
March 21, 2011
I am very sad to hear that Carl Arendt has passed away. He and I have corresponded through emails for a number of years and I have always had inspiration and encouragement from him. My condolences go to his wife and family. Carl will always be to me one of the greats in this hobby. Rest In Peace Carl.
Doug Simms
March 20, 2011
I just learned of the loss of Mr. Arendt. What a wonderful talent he had...the ability to bring so many people together. He leaves an empty spot in the world that will be so very hard to fill. God Bless.
March 19, 2011
Reading the Guest Book, I cannot help but smile at this thought: that one thinks it is only big planes and ships that take us around the world and which connect us -- but it seems it is actually little trains, instead! No wonder Carl always seemed to have such a brilliant smile on his face, having this network of kind friends from all over the planet. Sheila, may you and your family be surrounded by warmth, as you move ahead. Be gentle with yourselves, during this time.....and a big, warm hug to you. Nancy Bellamy Upper St. Clair PA
March 19, 2011
We re saddened to learn of Carl's passing. His Micro layouts were both inventive and inspiration.
Illiana Garden Railway Society
Geoff Potter
March 19, 2011
Carl,
I never met you, but your website inspired me and so many others to find enjoyment in micro layouts. Your sense of fun and wonder were infectious.
Rest in peace,
Geoff, Wamberal Australia
Jean McQuilliin
March 19, 2011
A great spirit lives on in the many good memories he leaves behind. Sunnyhill was abuzz with Carl stories last week. Some funny, some profound, all brought him back in memory.
~ Jeanie
Frank Bergmans
March 18, 2011
My condolences to Carl's family.
Layouts in all scales, from all over the world came together on his web page...
Chris
March 18, 2011
I am very sad to hear of Carl's passing. His website was a little patch of gentle good humour and enthusiasm which I so enjoyed visiting.
BRIAN BERKE
March 18, 2011
I knew Carl from his model railroad website, his enthusiastic approach to the hobby was so vibrant, a true joy to follow. My condolences to his family, he shared his passion for life with all.
Paco
March 18, 2011
My condolences to his family and friends. I followed his excellent web page on micro layouts from Spain; they were inspiration for me in this wonderful hobby. May his memory live in all of us who admired him and celebrated his work.
Pat (Spieckerman)Garrison
March 17, 2011
Dear Sheila and Family,
I very recently heard from Jerry Spieckerman (now living in Port Townsend) that he thought Carl might be living in Olympia. Fond memories of past years of shared experiences in Mt. Lebanon, particularly at Sunnyhill UU Fellowship, arose and I was determined to try and make contact. Upon investigating, I was shocked and terribly saddened to learn of Carl's passing.
It was, however, not surprising to read that upon "retirement" Carl developed another career as author, specialist in micro railroading, a worldwide communicator and friend to thousands of people around the globe. What a legacy!
Memories of working and playing together on mutitudes of committees, projects, parties, New Year's Eve skits and so on...all containing Carl's great spark of creativity, wit and way with words are still vivid. It's been more than thirty years since I moved back to Seattle from Mt. Lebanon but I've never forgotten the energy, excitement and joy that we all shared there.
My thoughts are with you in this difficult time, but I know that Carl's spirit will be with you always.
When time permits and if you are interested, it would be wonderful to re-connect. My husband Don Russell and I live in Seattle; my email is [email protected].
Most Sincerely,
Pat (Spieckerman) Garrison
Olivier Jeanneret
March 17, 2011
My condolences to Carl's family. I will greatly miss his so friendly approach to micros and enthousiam to maintain contact with all over the world friends. Olivier Jeanneret Pully Switzerland
William Frisk
March 17, 2011
I knew Carl from his model railroad website and gained a lot of great ideas from his enthusiastic approach to the hobby. He will be missed by many around the world. My condolences to his family.
March 15, 2011
I never met him but I felt I knew him so well from his site.
RIP Carl.
Peter de Rosa
March 15, 2011
Thanks for all the inspiration and help, you will be sorely missed. Condolences to the family and friends - would have loved the chance to meet the great man in person. Alan Doncaster - UK
March 14, 2011
I found Carl and his website so inspiring and when I talked to him he was always keen to reply to emails and gave me lots of encouragement. I will miss him and hope some one will continue what he started making the world a smaller place through model railways. My condolences to his family - David Cartwright (England)
mali mcdermott
March 14, 2011
thanks for all the wonderful ideas carl sorry to family in thier sad loss mali mcdermott
Christian
March 14, 2011
Dear Carl,
Thank you for bringing back into model railroading, for bringing people from all over the world together and for putting many smiles on my face.
May the Lord bless you.
March 13, 2011
My deepest sympathy for the loss of Carl.
Dear Carl although we never met you gave lots of inspiration and enthusiasm.
God bless you.
Giuseppe D'Ancona
Jimbo
March 13, 2011
Thanks for all the ideas, and especially for the enthusiasm. Bless you.
Bracciante Roberto
March 13, 2011
Carl, You will remain forever a regret in my life, for not having known you better. Thank you for the lesson you gave to the world of modellism. I will try to follow your unreachable example.
Guido
March 13, 2011
I feel honored that Both of my modeltrain layouts got a place on his website.
Guido from Duesseldorf
Kumar Desai
March 13, 2011
Carl's website was responsible for me getting back into the hobby.
Thanks Carl. You will be greatly missed.
Sincere condolences to Carl's family and friends.
Ola Sjöblom
March 13, 2011
Thanks for the inspiration
David Woodhead
March 13, 2011
Thank you, Carl - you have been a truly original thinker in modeling, showing us how rewarding and fun this new way of looking at things can be. You will be long remembered!
Peter Hardacre
March 13, 2011
carl's website gave me inspiration to look at railway modelling in a small way and added a new dimension to my hobby.He will be missed by many who like myself have never met him.
I will miss his comments and my thoughts are with his family at this time
March 13, 2011
Many thanks for so much fun in my hobby.
i'll miss him.
Luc Mallet
March 12, 2011
Thank you Carl. You have inspired me into modeling again via your website. You will be greatly missed.
Philip Miller
March 12, 2011
My condolences and sympathy to the family and friends of Carl. His efforts to promote and encourage small model railways will continue to be instrumental world wide. Not many people achieve global influence, but Carl most certainly has. My work friends and I always enjoyed discussing his new pages. He will be sadly missed, may he rest in peace
Patrick Konkle
March 12, 2011
I really enjoyed his site and the light hearted whit he put into our great hobby. If I ever got to feeling down or a bit over whelmed I just punched up his site; and after a few minutes all was right with the world again. He filled a large gap in the hobby,... just buy bringing people through out the world together through his site. I will miss him, as thousands will. My sincerest condolences.
W. P. Konkle
Mississauga Canada
Gary Miller
March 12, 2011
I've only known Carl through emails over the past few months. My latest email was a question about operation and his response was received in early February. His enthusiasm really came through in the words he wrote. I have the micro-page permanently bookmarked on my computer and looked for new ideas every month. He will be missed by us all.
David Richardson
March 12, 2011
I had several dealings with Carl by email and always found him so encouraging and helpful. As so many others around the world have commented, he re-inspired me to begin model railroading. The planet is poorer without him. We have lost a mentor; may God bless his family, who have lost infinitely more, with the resurrection hope of Christ.
james royal
March 12, 2011
I only knew Carl Arendt through several e-mails we exchanged about model railroading. Even in those I could tell he was a caring person. The micro railroad community will truly miss him. Condolences to his family.
Jonathan Ward
March 12, 2011
I'm not very good with words so frequently find it difficult to express myself. Respectfully, may I endorse the kind words of Rev. Keith Addenbrooke who expresses so succinctly everything I feel about Carl's sad passing. May Carl rest in peace.
March 11, 2011
I had the pleasure of talking to Carl several times over the years. He was truly a gentleman and a gentle soul. We will all miss him I'm sure. He impacted so many people in the model railroading world. I hope his family will take comfort in knowing what a great force he was in the hobby. I only wish I could leave such a legacy.
Dave Smith
March 11, 2011
From Dave Smith in Hicksville NY.
I emailed Carl a few times and always found him ready to help. Funny how you can miss someone you never met personally but I do.
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family and, as one fan wrote, Carl is probably already setting up a layout in heaven!
Gary Jennings
March 11, 2011
Carl's designs and his enthusiasm for model railroading and small layouts were an inspiration to me. I will miss him.
Jeffrey Peck
March 11, 2011
A man dipped his toe into the ocean and the ripple spread world-wide...such is the legacy of Carl. His efforts touched so many people in so many places and truly brought together a world community. Rest in Peace...
Tom Fillippa
March 11, 2011
Giles, Our family wanted to express of deepest symphathies to you and your family on the passing of your Dad. My Dad saw it in the paper and let me know. We just wanted you to know that you are in our prayers and we still reminisce about the good old days in the neighborhood.
Philip Hoffman
March 11, 2011
Carl was a genius at small model railroad planning. But he was also community minded in sharing his creativity freely and without reservation. His reputation is both world-wide and well deserved. We will all miss him.
Jim Eckman
March 11, 2011
I wish I had the opportunity to meet Carl in person, his writings were an inspiration to many people. My condolences on your loss.
Philip Crawford
March 11, 2011
My Condolences,
Carl's website and designs have given me great enjoyment and inspiration, he is a great loss.
Roger Brookes
March 11, 2011
One of the many people who discovered that layoiuts didn't have to be large and finally built one after visiting Carl's site.
My condolences and best wishes to his family
James & Shamus McMillin
March 10, 2011
Carl proved that great things can be accomplished in small steps. Thanks for the inspiration that crossed generations.
Carl Wagner
March 10, 2011
All of our thoughts and prayers are with the Arendt family. I will miss seeing what new ideas Carl will give to the modeling community.
I was very honored when Carl contacted me and asked if I would let him use my little, large scale layout in his third book. I told him I would be proud for him to use the layout. Having my layout in his book is the highlight of my modeling work.
May he rest in peace.
Sean Henry
March 10, 2011
I did not know Mr Arendt, but I admired his humour, imagination, and sense of fun shown on his remarkable modelling website. His interest in model railways has kept my own interest in them fired during a time when I haven't been able to build anything for myself. To his family, please know how sorry I am. May God bless you and comfort you in your loss.
(The Rev.) Sean Henry.
Tom Stuart
March 10, 2011
My condolences to Carl's family. I only knew Carl through e-mail correspondence concerning his website but he was always warm and inspiring. I considered him a friend in the hobby. I will think of him whenever I am building one of his designs. I am in the process up finishing a small depot which now has been renamed "Arendt."
Diego De Bunder
March 10, 2011
Is very sad to hear about Carl's decease. I never met Carl in person, but I shared e-mail conversations with him ocasionally. I'll always remember him as a very ingenious man that was always eager to share his knowledge. I wish to send my condolences to his family and friends all over the world.
Jesse Furqueron
March 10, 2011
Carl, you had a gift that you used well...you helped inspire others.
While I was saddened to hear you've taken this last great journey, my heart was also lightened. 'Cause now I KNOW there's going to be trains in Heaven.
She's got a full head of steam, the green signal is a showing. Clear tracks and God Speed to you.
And Carl, thank you.
Philip Taylor
March 10, 2011
I am sorry to hear of Carl's passing. He was an imaginative contributor to the model rail hobby. He constantly pointed to the fact that less is sometimes more if we will just be creative.
My condolences.
rob mercer
March 10, 2011
Carl was instrumental in bringing me back to rail modelling .He brought fun back to my life thankyou Carl.Arendt street lives on in a corner of my ralway
rob mercer
Ken Thomas
March 10, 2011
My condolences to the family of the late Carl Arendt. He was well regarded around the globe, and I can only hope that the fact that so many wish to record their sympathies will be some small comfort to his family.
Phil Harper-Smith
March 10, 2011
I have enjoyed and been inspired by Carl's wonderful website every time I have used my computer for the last few years as it is set as my home page. So thank you Carl, rest in peace, in the knowledge you made a lot of people across this planet very happy.
Ken Provus
March 10, 2011
Carl's passing has me sad, yet his legacy will make so many of us relish his memory.
May he Rest in Peace.
Tom Warne
March 10, 2011
Carl helped to show us that model railroading does not require a large space= he helped many to get past the arm-chair phase and actually build a layout. His unfailing good humor and positive attitude has been an inspiration to me and to many.
March 10, 2011
My condolences to Mr. Arendt's family and friends. He was a great inspiration to many people, and he will be missed. I hope many of us will always remember him fondly and with respect.
Chris Marrable
March 10, 2011
Carl and his books have been an inspiration to me. My thoughts are with his wife & Family. He will be missed World Wide by many.
Chris in the United Kingdom
David Ward
March 10, 2011
Carl's work was an inspiration to many newcomers to the railroading hobby such as myself. His open, friendly attitude will be sorely missed.
May the Lord grant you all, Carl's family and loved ones, HIS divine comfort, understanding, and peace during this most difficult of times.
Mike Willis
March 10, 2011
I was very saddened to hear of Carl's passing. His work was an inspiration to many people and a source of joy to me, a constant reminder that God is in the details. Thank you Carl.
Joe Hall
March 10, 2011
I've had the privilege of Mr. Arendt accepting a couple of my layout submissions, one recently. He was nothing less than a gentlemen and a pleasure to work with. I've always had a few ideas in the back of my head, with the intent of submitting to Mr. Arendt, always wanting to see what he thought about them. But I never got around to it. His web site did motivate me to get out of the armchair and actually do something. He will be sorely missed. My deepest sympathy to the family.
Norman Woollons
March 10, 2011
It is with great sadness that I learned of Carl's passing. I have enjoyed his monthly magazines since issue 2 and wondered why March 2011 never appeared. A great inspiration to modelers everywhere. My condolences to your family. Thank you, RIP Carl
Carl's Design for My Layout
John Hubbard
March 10, 2011
Finding Carl's web site in 2001 motivated me to get out my stored-away model railroad materials and get into micro layouts. Since then, he and I have exchanged untold emails and even a few phone calls. I currently have a micro layout "under construction" that Carl inspired based on a notion I sent him. I will finish it as a tribute to Carl.
Who will pick up his fallen torch?
Bruce Wilson
March 9, 2011
Carl made people around the world happy with his MicroLayouts web pages. He will be missed by all of his friends who stopped by twice a month to see the lastest offerings. Rest in Peace my friend
Chuck Perrucci
March 9, 2011
I have enjoyed viewing the website for many years. Several of my entries are on Carl's website. He will be sorely missed.
John Gardiner IV
March 9, 2011
Carl, you have no idea how many lives you touched, mine included. You fostered a section of the hobby which almost no one knew about; but your wake was huge, rippling beyond America, beyond Europe, to the whole world. You did good.
Jan Ligthart
March 9, 2011
A great inspiration to us modelrailroaders, Carl shall be missed. May he rest in peace. My deep thoughts and condolences go out to his family.
Martin Hogg
March 9, 2011
Look what you did Carl! All these people from all around the world..inspired by you and your work. I'm pleased and honoured to be amongst this strange international band who call you 'friend'.
Thank you for setting me on a path, You will be missed.
Condolences to Carl's family and friends, I hope there's some comfort in knowing that his positive influence spread so far.
Jim Barker
March 9, 2011
Go with a full head of steam it is a clear track ahead. You and your input to model rail roading will contiue to effect and inspire us all.
Neil Rushby
March 9, 2011
My sincere sympathies to Carl's family and friends. His enthusiasm and encouragement reached out world wide through his website. Enriching the lives of others is a fine legacy to leave.
Luciano Masotto
March 9, 2011
Sincere condolences to Carl's family.
May he rest in peace.
Kind regards
Alessandro Corsico
March 9, 2011
Tank You Carl, I don't have more word.....
Ciao
Stein Rypern
March 9, 2011
Carl Arendt was known as "the giant of the small layout" for many of us, and his web page (http://www.carendt.com) was place to stop by twice a month to see what new ideas had been posted.
My thoughts for his family and friends, and my gratitude to Carl.
Gene Kruger
March 9, 2011
Thank you Carl for all the pleasure you have given us.
Marvon Hadsell
March 8, 2011
While I did not meet Carl, he did inspire me to continue with model railroading when I couldn't seem to find the time to invest in it. I'm sure that he will be sorely missed by all whose lives he touched. I know that I will miss him and his wit and knowledge.
Sandy and Lee Golomb
March 8, 2011
Dear Sheila,
Lee and I were saddened to read of Carl's passing. We remember his great smile and your devotion to each other. It seems as if we just saw each other at Mount Lebanon Library. May his memory be a blessing for you and your family.
Pete Mesheau
March 8, 2011
Carl was a real innovator. He helped many of us make big things happen in very small spaces. I was very pleased when he featured one of my pizza specials on his site a few years back.
Kind personal regards
Bret Wiebe
March 8, 2011
I was one of many who only knew Carl through his website, which is free-spirited, positive and a tremendous source of information. These characteristics would not be there if they were not also present in the person behind it. I am sorry for your loss and grateful for the enjoyment that Carl facilitated for his countless Internet friends.
Lindley Ruddick
March 8, 2011
I will shed a tear for Carl's passing but I will rejoice in the pleasure he has given me and many others during his presence on this earth. May he rest in peace.
Dave Carson
March 8, 2011
Thank You Carl, if it wasn't for you, your enthusiasm for model railways and your incredible website, I would not be in this hobby now. I am one of many who owe you a sincere debt of gratitude.
Roger Swan
March 8, 2011
Sincere condolences to Carl's family. He was a true inspiration to so many in this great hobby and will be greatly missed and well remembered.
Kind regards
Roger Swan
Cardiff, Wales
UK
J Reynolds
March 8, 2011
It was a good life when you enrich many others' lives the way Mr Arendt did with the hobby of model railroading. He will be missed but remembered well with enjoyment and creativity he inspired in others and thus be passed along to many more as well.
Dick Bell
March 8, 2011
I met Carl at a prototype model get-together near Pittsburgh a few years ago. I found him to be a delight - a real gentleman with a keen sense of humor and I liked him immediately. I have enjoyed his web site on micro layouts and learned so very much over the years. I am saddened to learn of his passing and will be praying for his family as they cope with their loss.
Jim Sacco
March 8, 2011
Carl was a special person and it shows by how many people around the world viewed him as their friend. He was truly charming, generous and kind. I will miss him deeply. Our most sincere condolences to his family.
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