Jean François Andrist (1946 – 2019) passed away on 8 February 2019. The funeral was celebrated on 13 February in Collombey, his village, in the presence of many friends. Jean François spent his working life in Asia and Middle East. On his retirement, he returned home to Switzerland and he became first a volunteer at the Blonay-Chamby Railway Museum, eventually being elected as President of the Association. He worked regularly on the railway and his wife Annie also worked there as a volunteer in the kitchen or in the restaurant. After Jean François retired as President he continued as a Member of the Council and also as an active volunteer on the railway.
His illness was painful but he was full of hope with projects until his last day. (During the week before his death he asked me to book for him the Harz Conference at Wernigerode). He participated in many Fedecrail conferences to represent his Railway and was happy to discuss any subject with anybody (he spoke French, German and English fluently).
As a Member of UNECTO, he also participated regularly in their Congresses.
Jean François we will all miss you.
Our condolences we send to Annie whom we hope to meet at our future Conferences.
Jacques Daffis (Vice-President)