Richard (Rick) Dahl, 55, general manager of the North County Transit District’s Sprinter rail operation for Veolia Transportation in Escondido, CA, died July 15 of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident the previous day.

Dahl joined the Connex subsidiary of Veolia in 2005 as a trainmaster for Metrolink commuter rail in Southern ­California and moved up the ranks as a senior transportation manager and assistant general manager before being appointed Sprinter general manager in 2009. He worked in the rail industry for 22 years.

“Rick was greatly respected and loved by his colleagues, friends and family. He was a true railroader and a man of great integrity. He had an open heart and a helping hand for those who needed it. We all grieve at this tragic loss,” said Don Saunders, Veolia’s chief operating officer for rail.