image courtesy of Bill Raia

Lee Hastman passed away after a 5 week illness, at 1:30 PM Feb 13, 2011.

Lee was born Feb 26, 1946. Growing up, Lee became good
friends with noted author and railfan, Ed DeRouin. The two of them spent
their high school years documenting the final years of North Shore
operations. He was a veteran, having served a tour of duty in Vietnam.
After returning from Vietnam Lee worked for the Illinois Central in train
service and in later years as a load supervisor/dispatcher for IC, later
Metra, electric operations out of Randolph Street in Chicago. Lee lived
most of his life in Elmhurst and once retired moved to Aurora, IL in 2007.

He was a noted photographer, book dealer, Illinois Central historian and
railroadiana collector. Lee enjoyed blue-grass and zydeco music. Once he
was retired he started his life's work on the history of IC steam
locomotives. A regular book seller at the Chicago area railroadiana shows,
Lee always seemed to have conversation going at his table. He will be
missed.