Robert Hansell Leilich

February 8, 1940 – August 5. 2026

Bob was born in Sayre, Pennsylvania, to George and Doris Leilich. Growing up, the family moved frequently to locations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland, following Bob’s father’s rapid advancement through railroad management ranks. Bob attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Purdue University (BS in Mechanical Engineering and MS in Industrial Management) and Yale University (Post Graduate studies in Transportation Economics), following in the footsteps of his father whom he loved and greatly admired. At Purdue he met Joann, the love of his life. They were married in 1962 after graduation from Purdue. Over their years together, they lived in Indiana, California, Connecticut, Illinois (twice), Kansas, Colorado (twice), Virginia, and Texas.

They began their life together in San Diego where Bob served in the Navy aboard the destroyer, USS Parsons, DD949 in the engineering department from 1962 to 1964, including duty as its Chief Engineer. From 1965 to 1969 he worked for the Santa Fe Railway advancing to the position of Trainmaster. He then began a career in railroad management consulting, working for A.T. Kearney, Inc. and later the accounting and consulting firm now known as KPMG, advancing to a senior manager.

In 1980 he started his own transportation consulting firm, specializing in railroad operations, economics, and railroad simulation software. He managed and participated in many projects in countries throughout the world. In 1998 he sold his company to a Canadian National Railway subsidiary. He then formed TrainMaster, Inc. to further develop retail and commercial train simulation software. He sold that company in 2004 and retired. In 2006 he and Joann moved to The Woodlands, Texas, to be close to family and grandchildren. He soon became active in the Woodlands Methodist Church missions broad, as a delegate to the Texas Annual Methodist Conference, and in Jubilee Prison Ministry. He was also active in the community serving on two Municipal Utility Districts, the Grogan’s Mill Village Association, its Residential Design Review Committee, the Woodlands One Water Task Force, and George Mitchell’s Coffee Club.

Bob’s hobbies over the years included tennis, swimming, hiking, skiing, golf, and making videos. He was a co-author of a book on railroading and helped another publisher prepare a book about his father.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and brother. He is survived by his wife of 64+ years, son, Frank, his wife, Laura; daughter, Sharon and her husband, Ken, three grandchildren, Andrew, Brenna her husband Brendan, and Pierce; and former daughter-in-law, Tausha Leilich.

I lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution Jubilee Prison Ministry