With a sad heart we must announce that our club’s founder, Dr. James “Jim” Edward Valle of Dover passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2017. He was 73.
Jim was born October 13, 1943 in Oakland, California and grew up in the Bay area and moved to the East Coast in 1968. He received his baccalaureate degree in History from San Francisco State University; his Master’s in United States History, with a thesis on the Civil War, from UCLA; and his doctorate in Maritime and Naval History from the University of Delaware. His many hobbies included model railroading, boating, scuba diving, book collecting, and painting with acrylics and watercolors.
Jim enjoyed a long career as Professor of History at Delaware State University, serving two terms as chairman of the Department of History and Political Science, before retiring in 2004. He published two books: Rocks and Shoals: Naval Discipline in the Age of Fighting Sails and The Iron Horse at War, a railroad history, and published numerous articles on maritime history and railroading subjects, his latest being currently featured in Classic Trains, “Cruising with the Railroads’ Bay Area Navy” (Spring 2017), a fond boyhood memoir. He also traveled and lectured extensively in Europe, Caribbean, Mexico, and the Eastern United States, as well as participated in tall ship voyages and nautical archaeology expeditions. He and his wife enjoyed many travels worldwide in their 20 years together, where he often lectured on cruise ships. He was a scholar and an avid adventurer.
Jim founded the First State Model Railroad Club (FSMRRC) in 1985 and acted as President of the Club from 1996 -2002. Lasting Club friendships and an extended “family” were created through the years as members enjoyed working on various projects and conducting train shows in Delaware and other states, as well as joyful socializing along with the wives/significant others.
Jim was born October 13, 1943 in Oakland, California and grew up in the Bay area and moved to the East Coast in 1968. He received his baccalaureate degree in History from San Francisco State University; his Master’s in United States History, with a thesis on the Civil War, from UCLA; and his doctorate in Maritime and Naval History from the University of Delaware. His many hobbies included model railroading, boating, scuba diving, book collecting, and painting with acrylics and watercolors.
Jim enjoyed a long career as Professor of History at Delaware State University, serving two terms as chairman of the Department of History and Political Science, before retiring in 2004. He published two books: Rocks and Shoals: Naval Discipline in the Age of Fighting Sails and The Iron Horse at War, a railroad history, and published numerous articles on maritime history and railroading subjects, his latest being currently featured in Classic Trains, “Cruising with the Railroads’ Bay Area Navy” (Spring 2017), a fond boyhood memoir. He also traveled and lectured extensively in Europe, Caribbean, Mexico, and the Eastern United States, as well as participated in tall ship voyages and nautical archaeology expeditions. He and his wife enjoyed many travels worldwide in their 20 years together, where he often lectured on cruise ships. He was a scholar and an avid adventurer.
Jim founded the First State Model Railroad Club (FSMRRC) in 1985 and acted as President of the Club from 1996 -2002. Lasting Club friendships and an extended “family” were created through the years as members enjoyed working on various projects and conducting train shows in Delaware and other states, as well as joyful socializing along with the wives/significant others.
Join us on most Thursday Nights
starting around 7pm
1282 McKee Road
Dover, DE 19904
starting around 7pm
1282 McKee Road
Dover, DE 19904
