With Paul Avon’s last final examination behind him on Dec. 17, he anticipated his May graduation from NIU and believed nothing could stand in his way.

Paul relaxed as most college students do when four years of college are almost completed. He went downtown to unwind and ponder which graduate school program would best suit him.

While only about two hundred yards from his Colonial Townhouses apartment, Paul was struck by a west-bound train on the Chicago and Northwestern railroad tracks behind the Junction Eating Place, 816 W. Lincoln Hwy.

Paul was pronounced dead by DeKalb County assistant coroner William Engstrom at 2:47 a.m. The results of the inquest initiated after the accident will be available Thursday.

The promising 21-year-old meteorology major “had his life planned out,” said Paul’s father Louis Avon. Paul was concerned with his schoolwork and his jobs at Pizza Villa and for the government. Paul did not worry about a steady girlfriend, he thought there would be time for that once he graduated.

Paul was a very quiet and easygoing student, “but when he said something, it was important,” said Douglas Revelle, an associate professor of geography. Paul was a hard worker and enjoyed challenges. His work was very consistent—”he liked to work very, very hard and then relax,” Revelle said.

Paul’s interest in astronomy and meteorology helped climb near the top of a planetary atmosphere class taught by assistant geography Professor Timothy Spangler. His interest in the field helped him as he entered national contests and planned to attend graduate school, Spangler said.

And, just as many other students at NIU, he was not concerned about being hit by a train while walking home on the railroad tracks.

Although his parents realize the dangers of taking the often-used “shortcut” home, they are concerned about others using the same route. “You don’t have a real safe situation down there with the train going so fast,” his father said.

Questions by the Avon’s to the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Co. have fallen upon deaf ears, but Paul’s parents believe a deterrent to walking along the tracks is needed for everyone’s safety.

DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow said the railroad tracks bisecting DeKalb have been the sight of “sporadic” accidents over the past few years.

Train/pedestrian accidents and possible steps to thwart future incidents have been given attention by city officials, “but there is really no access that is encouraged to be back there,” he said.

Education is needed to deter pedestrians from using the “unorthodox” route, especially in lieu of walking along well-lit Lincoln Highway, Sparrow said.

Although plans are not finalized, the Avon’s intend to give all donations and memoriams in Paul’s behalf to the meteorology department or NIU.