CLEVELAND, November 9 — Brother Audré H. “Aud” Balogh, an Honorary Member of the BLET and a 50-year employee, passed away on November 7.
A memorial service for Brother Balogh will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Bell-Sanctuary of the Federated Church in Chagrin Falls, Ohio (76 Bell Street, phone 440-247-6490).
Brother Balogh hired out as a carpenter for the BLE”s Building Association and received his first BLE paycheck on June 23, 1950. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Frank Balogh, who worked for 22 years as a carpenter for the BLE.
The Brotherhood honored him at a special ceremony on June 23, 2000, where he was presented with a Brass Bell to commemorate his 50 years of service.
Brother Balogh was eventually promoted to Building Manager, but was most proud of the work he performed as a craftsman on the BLET”s Engineers Building and Standard Building.
“Our Brotherhood was truly blessed to have been served by an individual so loyal, honest and dedicated as Aud Balogh,” said Don M. Hahs, National President of the BLET. “Brother Balogh was proud of his job, was proud of his Brotherhood, and was proud of his family. On behalf of the 55,000 men and women of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, I extend my deepest condolences to the Balogh family.”
President Hahs also noted that the Brotherhood flag atop BLET headquarters in downtown Cleveland will be flown at half mast on November 14 to honor the memory of Brother Balogh.
The BLET”s Advisory Board granted Balogh honorary membership in the BLE on October 16, 1989. Balogh is one of only 15 honorary members in the 143-year history of the BLE-BLET. He was nominated for honorary membership by B.G. Crawford, a member of BLE Division 597.
“Notwithstanding his love for our industry, he possesses an unparalleled knowledge of the railroad, its operation, rules, regulations, and much of its physical plant,” wrote Crawford in a letter nominating Balogh for honorary BLE membership. “He is a collector of railroad memorabilia and belongs to not less than three railroading historical societies. His knowledge of the ”past” Engineers Building and the ”present” Standard Building, their construction, design, costs, materials, use and history are beyond comprehension.”
Balogh was overwhelmed with the honor of becoming an Honorary Member.
“I have three loves of my life my God, my wife and family, and this great Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers,” Balogh said in 1989.
Brother Balogh is survived by his wife of many years, Jackie, daughter Barbara and her husband John, daughter Holly, and four grandchildren.