of North Little Rock, AR
April 30, 1946 - August 22, 2015
Kenneth William Ziegenbein, 69, of North Little Rock, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2015. Ken was born in Brenham, Texas on April 30, 1946 to Gilbert and Louise Kiel Ziegenbein. He grew up in New Ulm, Texas, and graduated from Blinn Jr. College in 1966. Ken received a degree in Meteorology in 1969 from Texas A&M University. It was there he met his lifelong friend, Jerry Nunn. Ken started his career at the U. S. Weather Bureau Airport Station at Greater Southwest Airport in Ft. Worth and had assignments at Ft. Worth, Birmingham, Little Rock and Tifton, GA. It was in Georgia that he met Sarah Brown, his beloved wife for 37 years. Sarah pre-deceased Ken on September 29, 2010.
Ken retired from the US Weather Service in Little Rock in 2001. Ken loved weather, photography, Star Trek, and trains, especially trains. Ken was active in numerous train organizations including the Arkansas Railroad Club, where he once served as their editor, and participated in many web-based rail interest groups. He was the owner of two rail themed websites: trainweather.com and thundertrain.org, where he posted his numerous photographs. He was a well-known and respected photographer in the railfan community. His last post on facebook was a sunset at the Union Pacific rail yard in North Little Rock. Ken was also one of the Union Pacific Railroad's photographers, often called upon to photograph special events in the Little Rock area. He was also the primary photographer for the Little Rock streetcar system, the Central Arkansas Transit Authority, providing photos for their annual calendar. Ken is survived by his wonderful stepmother, Wilma Ziegenbein, numerous relatives, his special cat Tigger, and a host of dear friends, especially those at Park Hill Presbyterian Church.
Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, August 27 at Park Hill Presbyterian Church, 3520 John F. Kennedy Blvd. North Little Rock, Ark. 72116 with Reverend Gordon Garlington officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Little Rock. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at Roller-Owens Funeral Home (501-791-7400), 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd. North Little Rock, Ark. 72116.
I got to know Ken at the Amtrak station when he would come down to photograph the trains. He also photographed my arrival on my last run. I will miss his photos of trains on alerts when something was happening at the station or at the U.P.
I am Kenny's first cousin on the Ziegenbein side of his family. Being a few years older, I remember him as a cute baby and a sweet little boy who loved his trains and telescopes from early childhood. Growing up we had memorable Christmases and other family events. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed.
I first found your website while still living in Wisconsin several years ago Ken. After moving back home to Little Rock and joining the Arkansas Railroad Club I got to enjoy visiting with you at the club and at the depot. I also enjoyed your photos that you shared with us on an almost daily basis. I enjoyed knowing you Ken and you will be missed! God be with you!
Kenneth: Thank you for all that you did for the CHS class of 64.
I'm sorry to hear about Mr. Ziegenbein's passing. He worked with my dad a the NWS and was always very nice to me. I have fond memories seeing Ziggy's green car pass us on the road and his love of trains. My prayers for his family's comfort during this time.
So sorry to hear about Ken'so passing. My dad was a charter member of the Arkansas Railroad Club, and I was a member for years. I always enjoyed the club newsletter and I know Ken was the driving force behind it. He'll be missed.
I was completely shocked when I got the news today of Kens passing. I will miss getting texts of various pictures, hearing about his day, and what he had for lunch at the Capital Grill. The Union Pacific Family day will not be the same not having Ken there. My thoughts and prayers to his family and many friends. And hope that Tigger the cat has another loving home.
Ken, am remembering you from the YMCA fitness classes many years ago. So shocked to see this obituary in the paper today. To the family I extend my deepest condolences.
While we never met in person, it was a treat to see his photographs of trains in the Little Rock area.
Please accept my deepest condolences.
Robert Casares
Ken was my first cousin. We have many fond memories of growing up together and eating some of Grandma Kiel's wonderful cinnamon rolls and homemade bread and molasses cookies. Ken always enjoyed a good laugh and was an avid photographer. And trains - how he loved trains and would recount the trips to south Texas to visit us with Grandpa Kiel. You will be missed, love you always, Kathy
Ken and I communicated through emails and I often applauded his ability to place his Little Rock reports at the end of Railspot digests. They were a fine dessert of multiple flavors and a great documentation of current rail traffic that I and other railspotters will miss. Ken also shared an interest in traction and shared his Little Rock trolley calendars with me. I am glad that I was able to tell him often how much I enjoyed his photos.
Our condolences go out to Ken's family and friends.
May he rest in peace.
Gerard and Terri Kelley
Ken was a friend, a great photographer and will be missed.
Ken has been my inspiration in pursuit of railroad photography. His efforts and passion will be greatly missed.
We will miss your quite sense of humer and your great train photography.RIP
Was shocked to hear the news of you making the trip to that beautiful train station in heaven. While our paths crossed a few times and we didn't talk much I will remember standing in the heat and cold waiting for that rare daylight Amtrak train or special locomotive. All Aboard and highball to you Ken. You have arrived at your final destination. Rest in Peace
Ken, I first met you when you came to an NRHS meeting in Temple when we used to hold them at the Railroad and Heritage Museum. I continued to communicate you via e-mail and thoroughly enjoyed your weekly photo post from Union Station. You were a great friend from far away.
Jeremy
I worked with Ken throughout most of my National Weather Service career at Little Rock. He was a very easy-going guy, worked hard and was always very upbeat. While I am not a train buff, I always enjoyed his train photos on Facebook and his websites along with the many other photos that he took. Prayers and sympathy to his family.
I worked with Ken at the Birmingham and Little Rock offices of the National Weather Service. It is with sadness that I say goodby to an excellent meteorologist and a fine man.
May he rest in peace.
Ken, I will miss your beautiful photographs of trains and weather. Fair winds and following seas, my friend.
RIP Ken enjoy that train ride in the sky.
I knew Ken, first as a forecaster at the National Weather Service in North Little Rock; and second as a member of the Arkansas Railroad Club, a die-hard railfan, and a great trains photographer.
May you forever have clear skies and clear tracks ahead, Ken...you will be sorely missed.
Daryl Stout, WX1DER, Conductor
Ham Radio Trains And Railroads Net
Godspeed Ken! Thanks for your interesting train related photographs and postings.
We will miss you, Ken. You and Sarah finally get to enjoy retirement together. Give her a kiss for me.