Kenneth William Ziegenbein

Kenneth William Ziegenbein, 69, of North Little Rock, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2015. Ken was born in Brenham, Texas on April 30, 1946 to Gilbert and Louise Kiel Ziegenbein. He grew up in New Ulm, Texas, and graduated from Blinn Jr. College in 1966. Ken received a degree in Meteorology in 1969 from Texas A&M University. It was there he met his lifelong friend, Jerry Nunn. Ken started his career at the U. S. Weather Bureau Airport Station at Greater Southwest Airport in Ft. Worth and had assignments at Ft. Worth, Birmingham, Little Rock and Tifton, Ga. It was in Georgia that he met Sarah Brown, his beloved wife for 37 years. Sarah pre-deceased Ken on September 29, 2010. Ken retired from the US Weather Service in Little Rock in 2001. Ken loved weather, photography, Star Trek, and trains, especially trains. Ken was active in numerous train organizations including the Arkansas Railroad Club, where he once served as their editor, and participated in many web-based rail interest groups. He was the owner of two rail themed websites: trainweather.com and thundertrain.org, where he posted his numerous photographs. He was a well-known and respected photographer in the railfan community. His last post on facebook was a sunset at the Union Pacific rail yard in North Little Rock. Ken was also one of the Union Pacific Railroad's photographers, often called upon to photograph special events in the Little Rock area. He was also the primary photographer for the Little Rock streetcar system, the Central Arkansas Transit Authority, providing photos for their annual calendar. Ken is survived by his wonderful stepmother, Wilma Ziegenbein, numerous relatives, his special cat Tigger, and a host of dear friends, especially those at Park Hill Presbyterian Church. Funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, August 27 at Park Hill Presbyterian Church, 3520 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, Ark. 72116 with Reverend Gordon Garlington officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Little Rock. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at Roller-Owens Funeral Home (501-791-7400), 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd. North Little Rock, Ark. 72116. Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.