Men’s Memoir
Learn about Gail F. Meintzer’s philosophies from lessons learned the hard way, as he took the long road less traveled on the iron highway.
Travel with Gail F. Meintzer as he journeys with the railroad system from Deerfield, Illinois to Milwaukee, Wisconsin across the plains to Seattle, Washington before he heads to Des Moines, Minneapolis, and the Windy City. Then one more destination, as he finally settles in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
As a clerk-typist, he made a name for himself in the Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, placing second in the Oklahoma City Times Bowling tournament, and then leading his regiments’ bowling team in winning the Fort Sill Bowling Championship. Drafted in 1944 into the U.S. Army during World War II, he was one of the lucky ones and didn’t see battle.
In 1947, he married the love of his life, Neva, and they had five children together. To care for his family, Gail F. Meintzer worked for the railroad for 42 years, retiring as Director, Intermodal Sales for the Milwaukee Road in 1985.
His adventures weren’t over as he and his wife traveled to visit their children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. A U.S. Army Veteran of World War II and the Korean War, Gail F. Meintzer shares his story as a die-hard railroader for the first time in Detours: A Memoir of a Railroad Man.
Author Bio: Gail F. Meintzer started working for the railroad system before he was drafted into the U.S. Army for World War II, and he served again during the Korean War. Married to Neva Jewell in 1947, they had five children together. He retired as Director, Intermodal Sales from Milwaukee Road in 1985. Today they have 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchild. They celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on June 21st, 2016. To contact Mr. Meintzer, please visit www.writtendreams.com and send an email through our Contact Us page.
