CLEVELAND, February 12 — Robert D. Broka, long-time Director of Records for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, is retiring after nearly 40 years of employment at BLET National Division headquarters. And in recognition of his years of dedicated service, the BLET Advisory Board has unanimously voted to honor him with the coveted title of Honorary Member.
Brother Broka becomes the 16th Honorary Member in the 147-year history of the BLET and its predecessor organizations. During a retirement ceremony at National Division headquarters today, Brother Broka was presented with a plaque by BLET National Secretary-Treasurer Bill Walpert thanking him for his “40 years of outstanding dedication and commitment to the Brotherhood.”
Additionally, he was presented with a Proclamation signed by BLET National President Paul Sorrow. In the Proclamation, President Sorrow wrote: “The life, work and creative energy of Bob Broka has served as an inspiration for thousands of members of the BLET, and for nearly 40 years Bob has dedicated his career to helping Secretary-Treasurers of all levels of the Organization in his capacity as Director of the Records Department.”
Broka was hired on June 10, 1970, during the administration of International President C.J. Coughlin. His 40 years of service spanned the administration of 11 different International and National Presidents and eight different International and National Division conventions.
In recent years, he has helped lead the transition into the modern-era of online dues reporting. BLET Secretary-Treasurers now file their monthly dues remittance reports using cutting edge Internet-based technology instead of archaic paper filing methods.
Brother Broka is a 1969 graduate of Defiance College in Defiance, Ohio. As a freshman he attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., where he roomed with future U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle.
“We will never be able to replace Bob’s outgoing personality and knowledge of the Brotherhood’s history and bylaws,” said BLET National Secretary-Treasurer Bill Walpert. “His one-of-a-kind personality boosted office morale and helped make coming into the office an enjoyable experience for me over the years. His professionalism and dedication are beyond reproach.”
President Sorrow welcomed Brother Broka to the BLET as an Honorary Member.
“It is an honor to present him with Honorary Membership in the Brotherhood, and it is a pleasure to call him Brother Broka,” President Sorrow said.
Brother Broka remains close friends with the Brotherhood’s 13th Honorary Member, long-time BLE Employee Ra Tully and 15th Honorary Member Harold Ross. Other Honorary Members include J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Hollywood producer Jay Sommers; Railroad artist Howard Fogg; Railroad photographer and BLE Public Relations Director Richard J. Cook; 35-year Washington D.C. office employee Betty Child; and 50-year BLE Building Association Employee Audré H. “Aud” Balogh.
“On behalf of all men and women of the Brotherhood, I extend best wishes to Brother Broka for a healthy and happy retirement,” President Sorrow said.