Elmer Lee Lam Jr.

CHARLOTTE - Elmer L. Lam, Jr., who transformed the North Carolina Transportation Museum, died on Wednesday, January 27, 2016, in Charlotte, at age 90. During 17 years of volunteering, including a decade as president of the museum’s foundation, he used his skills as a fundraiser and legislative lobbyist to help turn a dilapidated Roundhouse into an attractive building portraying railroad history, which brought national recognition to the museum. Legislators in the General Assembly were amazed to discover that Lam was lobbying as a volunteer.

After the renovated Roundhouse (the largest one still standing in the nation) and Barber Junction Visitors Center buildings opened in 1996, he continued raising public and private funds to begin restoration of the Back Shop building. As a result, the museum was able to install a new roof, skylights, and custom-built windows in the huge building. “Elmer brought a salesman’s unshakable enthusiasm for a great cause, an undeniable love for railroad history, and a great love of people,” said Jim Wrinn, editor of Trains Magazine and a longtime friend and fellow volunteer at the museum.

For these achievements, the State of North Carolina in 2002 presented Lam with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state’s highest award for service. In 2004, Preservation North Carolina gave him the Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit for contributions to historic preservation. Currently, the North Carolina Transportation Museum’s “Elmer Lam Gallery” features railroad history and a replica of the Wright Brothers 1903 aircraft.

He was born on June 8, 1925 in Roanoke, Virginia to the late Grace Pond Lam and Elmer L. Lam, Sr. At the time, the headquarters of Norfolk and Western Railroad was located in Roanoke, where his father worked as a supervisor in the shops. After graduating from high school in 1943, Lam joined the Army Air Corps and served as a B-17 flight engineer stateside. After the war, he attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) and earned degrees in mechanical engineering and industrial engineering. In 1949, he married Joan Keeley, a native of Staunton, Va., and graduate of Mary Baldwin College. Lam worked 37 years for DuPont—specializing in manufacturing at Martinsville, Va., and Kinston, N.C.; technical and customer service at Wilmington, Del.; and marketing at New York City, which involved trips to the West Coast to show new fabrics to clients. The company’s last transfer for him was to Charlotte in 1966, where he eventually retired.

In Charlotte, Elmer Lam was active in civic events. During the 1973-1974 gas shortage, he co-chaired the Park and Ride project, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce to convince more persons to use public transportation. He also served as president of the Beverly Woods East Civic Association. In the meantime, Joan Lam served as president of the P.E.O. North Carolina chapters, as well as president of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Garden Club.

Lam was preceded in death by his wife. He is survived by their son, Stuart Lam (Melissa), Charlotte, and daughters, Beth Leonard (Robert), Lebanon, Va., and Kim Lam, West Jefferson, N.C. The grandchildren include Matthew Lam, Adam Lam, Jacob Leonard, and Michael Leonard.

The funeral will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 30, at Harry and Bryant Funeral Home, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte, with the Rev. Dr. Bill Jeffries officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00-1:45 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be held at Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, Va. on Monday, February 1 at 2:00 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the North Carolina Transportation Museum Foundation (NCTMF), P. O. Box 69, Spencer, NC 28159.