OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Former Union Pacific Chairman and CEO John
Kenefick is being remembered for leading the railroad during a
challenging period.
The railroad says Kenefick died last Friday at the age of 90. He
led the Omaha-based company from 1971 to 1983 and oversaw mergers
with the Western Pacific and Missouri Pacific railroads in 1982.
Current Union Pacific CEO Jim Young said Thursday Kenefick had
great vision for the industry. Young says he remembers Kenefick
advising him to get out of the president’s office whenever possible
and visit with the railroad’s workers.
Kenefick studied mechanical engineering at Princeton University
before serving in the Navy during World War II.
He held a variety of jobs for three different railroads to learn
the business before becoming UP’s vice president of operations in
1968.