Bartholic was a long time railroader, having started with Great Northern (GN) in 1962 after graduation from the University of Denver School of Law (and later, New York University Law School). He started his railroad career in St. Paul, and occupied various positions in the law department of GN and successor Burlington Northern (BN).
“Bob became the ‘go-to’ legal expert in railroad land matters,” said PTSI founder and principle Mike Weinman. “Following retirement, while in private practice, he assisted in the acquisition of various rights-of-way for the Denver light rail system, having moved from St. Paul to Seattle to Denver while with BN.”
Bartholic also served as Vice President-Law for railroad-owned Glacier Park Co., and as head of some of the terminal companies that were operated as railroad subsidiaries. In his post-railroad life, he established a private law practice, and also worked with the law firm of Hamilton, Faatz PC in Denver. He assisted PTSI Transportation in establishing its corporate home in Colorado and supported the company and its former affiliates Green Signals Ahead and Green Zephyr as General Counsel and resident corporate counsel.
“In these endeavors, Bob was always ably assisted by his wife of 64 years, Esther, an engineer who became a de facto and expert law clerk,” said Weinman. “Among the recipients of his advice and counsel was former Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad owner Philip Anschutz, in several deliberations involving executive and deluxe tour train operations Bob and Esther were for a period the owner of a private railcar.”
Bartholic was a commissioned U.S. Army and reserve officer, rising to full Colonel, graduating from the Army War College and serving in the Judge Advocate Corps. He was also quite active in the Masons, having served as Grand Master of Masons in Colorado, and in numerous Masonic organizations.
Bartholic is survived by his wife Esther, two sons, and three grandchildren.