Malinoski, Robert R.
(1924 - 2008)By Jennifer Moskal
84, of Camp Hill, Pa., a decorated World War II veteran and considered to be one of the greatest railroad photographers of the 20th century.
Born in Ashland, Pa., he was the son of the late John and Dee Pulaski Malinoski.
He attended schools in Shamokin, Pa., New York City (now the site of Lincoln Center) and special courses at the American University in Washington, D.C.
Malinoski entered the: U.S. Army, assigned to the Army Air Corps, and was a trained radio operator on B29s and saw more than 30 combat missions in the Pacific Theatre. He became the recipient of the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After moving to New York City to work as a railroad conductor, his photography career began at Grand Central Station and Penn Station. The five passenger terminals on the New Jersey side were sheer utopia. This interest in photography led to him becoming a rail photographer, exhibiting in national and rail magazines, plus lectures, for more than 50 years and the publishing of two books: First book in color in 1991: "A Golden Decade of Trains: The1950s," covering over 50 different roads during this time period. A second book in color was published in 2001: "Trackside Around New York City 1953-1968"
In 2002, he was honored by the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society, with Mayor Reed declaring May 5, 2002, as "Bob Malinoski Day" in Harrisburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Harrisburg Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, 637 Walnut St., Harrisburg, PA 17101 1924.
Source: Polish American Journal, November 2008, Vol. 97, No. 11.