Birnbaum, general chairman of the Soo Line System Division from 1989 until his appointment as staff assistant, started working for the Soo Line Railroad in 1971 as a laborer. He later worked as a machine operator, assistant foreman, section foreman and extra gang foreman.

His service with the BMWE started early in his railroad career. He served two terms each as secretary-treasurer and local chairman of Subordinate Lodge 1552. He then served as first vice chairman and assistant general chairman, prior to his election as general chairman.

Birnbaum, born in Hankinson, North Dakota, is single and currently resides in Chicago, Illinois.

Wade D. Birnbaum

Timothy W. (Tim) Kreke, age 47, was appointed as Grand Lodge Staff Assistant-Chicago Office of Arbitration in February 1996.

Kreke started working for CSX Railroad (on former B&O, Chessie, B&OCT) in 1974 as a trackman. He also worked as a B&B carpenter, driver and foreman.

Originally a member of Subordinate Lodge 1163, Kreke transferred to Subordinate Lodge 409 and has served the BMWE in the positions of vice president, secretary-treasurer and local chairman of that lodge. He also served on the Joint Protective Board of the Allied Eastern Federation.

Born in Breese, Illinois, Kreke and his wife Mary Beth and their two sons now reside in Crown Point, Indiana.

Timothy W. Kreke

Death of Retired Officer

Russell O. Chambers, age 77, retired BMWE general chairman, died November 25, 1997 in Paso Robles following a long illness.

A native of Aberdeen, South Dakota, Chambers started working for the Milwaukee Road in 1939 as a trackman and later held the positions of water technician, carpenter and B&B foreman.

Before being elected as general chairman of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific System Federation in 1972, Chambers served as assistant general chairman and secretary-treasurer of that system. A member of Subordinate Lodge 398, Chambers previously held the positions of secretary-treasurer and local chairman. He also served as South Dakota state legislative representative from 1963 to 1968.

Chambers married Merle (McFarlane) Purdy in 1945 and they lived in Aberdeen until 1969, when they moved to Minneapolis. After his retirement in 1981, the couple moved to Paso Robles where his wife continues to reside.

Besides his wife, survivors include one brother, three sisters and two step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his stepson and two brothers.

Russell O. Chambers

50th Wedding Anniversary

December 5, 1997 marked the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Maude Motley and Tommy Vance, which they celebrated in Jackson, Mississippi with their son Glenn and daughter Deborah and their families. The Vances were presented with a family album chronicling their years together from the 1930s to the present. They were also surprised to receive a large number of cards and letters from family members, friends, and former and current BMWE brothers and sisters.

When he retired on December 31, 1988, Tommy Vance held the positions of Chairman of the Grand Lodge Executive Board and general chairman of the Illinois Central Gulf Federation. Previously he had served in various lodge and system positions, beginning in 1950. Vance was hired on the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad in January 1944 as a B&B laborer. He went to work for the BMWE in 1960 as assistant chairman on the former Gulf States Federation.

Maude and Tommy Vance