Topic starter
15/01/2008 2:13 pm
The Waterways Journal this week brought the sad news of the passing of Capt. H. Paul Striegel, 88, at Paducah on January 1st. Just two weeks prior he had been presented with the first "River Legend" award by the Seamen's Church Institute. Affectionately nicknamed "Capt. High Pockets" and "Tall Paul", he was well respected and a lifelong riverman who came from a family of river pilots. He was a popular and beloved mentor/role model to many -- and known for always insisting that things be done right.
I first met and became friends with Capt. Paul in the summer of 1996 when he came to Louisville for the Steamboat History Conference. As one who witnessed the transition from steam to diesel on the rivers, he emphasized the importance of preserving river history.
Capt. Paul was well known for his daily visits for coffee and conversation at Paducah river industry offices, the Seamen's Church Institute and River Heritage Museum. It was at the museum that I last visited with him several years ago. Always friendly and ready to "talk river" with those who shared his passion, he will be greatly missed.
A long and two shorts of the whistle in tribute and gratitude to Capt. Paul and his legacy.
15/01/2008 2:46 pm
Keith,
Thanks for the news...I haven't seen a WWJ since before Thanksgiving. I always felt Capt. Paul would have been a great speaker at S&D, witnessing and living as he did the great transition. He was a "mover and shaker" in his day, owning and operating boats doing all sorts of new things on the river. It is such a shame that those who fall into this category are fast dying off; soon there will be no one who really remembers.
15/01/2008 2:51 pm
I was fortunate to meet and talk with Capt. Striegel at our Midwest Buffs meeting in Paducah several years ago. He was our guest at the dinner as his good friend Greg Menke was our speaker. It was obvious the high regard the Paducah river community held Capt. Paul in, and he certainly was an influence in many careers - and in many industry developments. Yes , we are losing not only fine people, but keepers of the modern river history. That's Capt. Paul in the middle talking with Capt.Charles Lehman as I listen. This was taken at his favorite spot in the Seamen's Institute on May 25, 2005. It was a daily ritual for him to stop by for coffee and conversation.
Topic starter
15/01/2008 3:22 pm
Indeed, Capt. Paul was more than deserving of the "River Legend" award, as that title is very appropriate for a "dipped and dyed" riverman of the highest order whose career spanned six decades. He also enjoyed the distinction of having a navigation light named in his honor along the Tennessee River at his hometown of Perryville, Kentucky. He was a lifetime member of the Propeller Club, an honorary Duke of Paducah and a 75 year member of the First Baptist Church of Perryville.
A memorial service celebrating Capt. Paul's life will be conducted in the Founder's Room of the River Heritage Museum at Paducah on Thursday, January 17th at 10:00 AM. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be sent to the museum (of which Capt. Paul was a staunch supporter and founding board member) at 117 South Water Street, Paducah, KY 42001.
15/01/2008 4:17 pm
Judy Patsch;9174 wrote: I was fortunate to meet and talk with Capt. Striegel at our Midwest Buffs meeting in Paducah several years ago. He was our guest at the dinner as his good friend Greg Menke was our speaker. It was obvious the high regard the Paducah river community held Capt. Paul in, and he certainly was an influence in many careers - and in many industry developments. Yes , we are losing not only fine people, but keepers of the modern river history. That's Capt. Paul in the middle talking with Capt.Charles Lehman as I listen. This was taken at his favorite spot in the Seamen's Institute on May 25, 2005. It was a daily ritual for him to stop by for coffee and conversation.
Although I had never met him before that time...he was very cordial and friendly to all of us in MRB.
That Paducah meeting was sure a great one & people like Captain Striegel helped make it that way!
15/01/2008 4:51 pm
I too remember Captain Streigel from that MRB meeting. He certainly made everyone feel welcome. Sympathy to his family and friends.
Topic starter
16/01/2008 12:48 pm
Forgot to mention that the River Heritage Museum in Paducah has a nice website (www.riverheritagemuseum,org) and the telephone number is 270-575-9958. The museum is housed in Paducah's oldest building which once housed the Petter Company, supplier of hardware to riverboats.
16/01/2008 3:22 pm
Every steamboat used to have a copy of Petters Bluebook in the engine room, just as towboats do today. Petter's is still a strong, viable boat supply company. Their "Tiger Tail" pump hoses are the best.
Topic starter
16/01/2008 3:56 pm
Thanks Jim. I have a nice steam gauge from the Str. MISSISSIPPI (now the Becky Thatcher) which has the Petter name inside it. Since the boat was "finished" at Paducah in 1926-27, it could well be that the gauge came right "over the hill" to her from the Petter store!
17/01/2008 5:59 am
The Paul Striegel
Captain Paul Striegel was pals with the late Captain Ken Murphy, another legendary towboat pilot, and the two often got together on the Metropolis (IL) casino boat where Cap'n Ken ran the Marine Department affairs. Ironically, Murph's successor, Captain George Carpenter, has since been a long-time Pilot on the 5,000 hp M/V PAUL STRIEGEL.
05/08/2008 12:30 am
My Uncle Paul
Though he is Capt. Paul Streigel to many of you he is "Uncle Paul" to me. He and my Aunt Beryl were more like grandparents than aunt and uncle. They even lived with us for a time when they moved up to St. Louis, MO for a time. I remember we had to run a wire from their bedroom to an old walnut tree so that he could use his radio to have contact with the boats. We were 40 miles from the river but he had to be able to listen in on the chatter. They helped raise my dad when he was young, one of the youngest in the family and I have very fond memories of a lot of good times we had with Uncle Paul. We were able to visit him shortly after Thanksgiving right before he died and he got to see all three of my boys and we have a picture so that when they are older we will be able to show them their Uncle Paul. I want to thank each of you for your fond memories of my uncle. He impacted my life a great deal, as he impacted many of you on the river.
Your servant,
Scott