R.I.P. Bob Machler, DVARP Co-Founder

Bob Machler, co-founder and former VP of the Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers (DVARP), died Thursday after a stroke. DVARP is a nonprofit that tenaciously safeguards the interests of those who travel by rail, and acts as a thorn in the side of lawmakers to advocate for improved and expanded service on SEPTA, NJ Transit, PATCO and Amtrak.

Machler co-founded the group in 1972 and has been part of its mission ever since. Machler’s funeral will be held tomorrow morning, 10 a.m., at St. Katherine of Siena Church, Frankford and Grant aves., in the Northeast.