Ed Reutling.
Ed got me started kitbashing stuff into something I wanted and I hold him responsible for getting me into BPRC.
We emailed and talked a few times just before he moved then passed.
Here's a photo of Ed's SCL Whalebelly Hopper while he was building it, I built one for SAL. We built them from a Weaver 50' tankcar:
And mine, complete: