Sad News From Pt. Pleasant, WV

Captain Charles Henry

Thanks for sharing that sad though not unexpected news about Capt. Charles Henry. Indeed he was a delight to know. His report on the OK Chapter was always a highlight of an S&D meeting. He loved hearing from his river friends and you'd often pick up the phone and hear, "I bet you can't guess who this is." What a wonderful man. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to know him, his wife Jean, and daughter Bebe. He certainly was one of the reasons the Pt. Pleasant Museum exists, and his book on the Marietta Mfg. Co. is invaluable for river history. The river community has lost one of its finest, but we are richer for having had him in our midst all these years.
Here are pictures of Capt. Charles at the 2003 S&D meeting.
1) with Helen Hughes Prater, now the sole representative of their generation
2) Capt. Charles is entertaining Dick and Nancy Prater.
3) Jean is pointing out the camera while Bill Judd is trying to get Capt. Charles' attention too.

With the death of Capt. Charles Henry Stone, a true gentleman and beloved icon of the river has departed from our midst. Capt. Charlie was a dear, sweet man, a joy to know and it was a privilege to be included amongst his countless multitude of friends up and down the river. When I last talked with him on the phone, he was full of his usual humor but said that, as he approached age 95 with numerous health issues, he was more than ready to "go" and that he eagerly looked forward to receiving his new body in Heaven, because his was worn out like a dilapidated old boat! Despite his declining health, Capt. Charlie remained attuned to current events in the world around him -- and there was little, if anything, he didn't know about that was happening on the river!

While the passing of this wonderful friend and mentor leaves me with much sadness, I also rejoice that Capt. Charlie has been granted his longtime wish, and that his bright light now shines along the shore of a river in a heavenly realm, where there is no pain or suffering. A long and loud whistle salute in tribute to this extraordinary riverman and my deepest sympathy to Miss Jean and all the family.

Photos: Capt. Charles Henry and Keith aboard M/V DOGWOOD at Steamboat History Conference, Louisville, June, 1996.

Here´s the obituary.

Carmen

I beg to differ with you, Judy. What Cap'n Charlie always said was, "Ah'll bay-ut yew don't know hew this ee-uz."

Captain Charlie will be sorely missed by all river historians and fans. His sparkling wit kept us entertained while he shared solid river information with all. Despite losing most of his eyesight, his vision, especially of the future, remained unimpaired. At every S&D meeting he managed in his offhand way to steal the show.
Sound a long and two shorts.

Thanks, Carmen, for posting Capt. Charles Henry Stone's informative obituary from the Point Pleasant newspaper.

Herewith are a few more images in memory of Capt. Charles Henry.

(1) Two River Legends: Capt. Charles Henry and Jimmy Swift at the Ohio River Museum, Marietta - September, 1998
(2) The M/V CAPTAIN CHARLES H. STONE in the Louisville harbor - October, 1999.
(3) The M/V CAPTAIN CHARLES H. STONE heads into the Louisville & Portland Canal at sunset - from the decks of the Str. BELLE OF LOUISVILLE - October, 1999.

Second article

Carmen;22123 wrote: Here´s the obituary.

Carmen

Also don't miss the second article listed right under the obit, which gives community reaction.

According to Capt. Charles Henry's daughter, Bebe, plans are for the memorial service to be held at noon on Saturday, August 14th at the Trinity United Methodist Church, 615 Viand Street, Point Pleasant, followed by a luncheon and, of course, a visit to the River Museum!