Death of Rita Bates

Vicky: Condolences to you and the family in the loss. Cap'n Walnut and Carol, first mate.

Vicky,

I´m so sorry to hear about Rita! You and your family are in our prayers! May she rest in peace and join Alan again!

Carmen

Vicky,

I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Please pass my condolences to your family. You and your family are in my prayers.

Travis C. Vasconcelos

My sympathy about your grandma. Now your grandma and grandpa are together again.

Please let me add my sympathy, too.
-Jim Herron

Vicky,
Condolences from the Dewey family out west in California.
Linda & David Dewey

Remembering Rita

My love and deepest sympathy to you Vic, and to all the Bates family. Miss Rita always treated me like a son and I will treasure many fond memories of our times together. I especially recall a "tramp trip" in the spring of 1976 on the BELLE, when we had a moonlight cruise out of Brandenburg, Kentucky. Alan was serving as relief master and Rita was my assistant behind the gift shop counter. We had a ball and I don't remember when I have laughed harder, as she constantly kept me in stitches!

At Alan's memorial party aboard the BELLE, just last month, I enjoyed a great visit with Rita, sitting next to her as we both munched on watermelon, sharing memories and laughter. As we listened to the band and surveyed the crowded dance floor deck, Rita whispered, "I don't know half these people on the boat tonight, but we sure are having fun and I know Alan would really like this!"

We certainly will miss Rita, who was near and dear to so many of us for many decades --- but the sadness of losing her is mitigated only by knowing that she and her beloved Alan again walk hand in hand along the shore of a shining river.

Image: Aboard the BELLE for Alan's memorial party on June 2nd.

Vicky,
Very sorry to hear of Rita's passing. She and I shared the same birthday, although she had a few years on me. Sharon and I enjoyed both hers and Alan's friendship for many years and we send our condolances to you and the rest of the Bates family.

Vicky, family & steamboating colleagues:
Just got on line up here in the north of Michigan after several days of 'down' computer and read of Rita's death. Deepest sympathy to the entire Bates family. Alan, Rita and I spent a number of auto trips together to and from Marietta, Ohio. We talked, talked, talked river and boats. I always ended my letters, phone calls, E=Mails with, "Give Rita a big hug for me."

I'll echo Keith's kind words with "Bless be the ties that bind." We'll miss you. I'll have a big hug when I see you in time.

Returned from the long Mediterranea cruise, spent one week in Cincinnati before packing up to make camp up here until early September. Cheers to all.

R. Dale Flick
Shores of northern Lake Michigan

Obituary for Rita

This morning's edition of The Courier-Journal contains the obituary for Rita Bates, who passed away at age 90 on Monday, July 23rd.

Rita was a retired accountant for Sears and a member of the German American Club and the Howard Steamboat Museum. She is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

A Mass will be said in her honor at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on Sunday, September 23rd at 7:30 AM. Cremation was chosen with private interment in Cave Hill Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Rita's name to a favorite charity or organization. For those wishing to make contributions to the Howard Steamboat Museum, the address is P.O. Box 606, Jeffersonville, Indiana 47131-0606.

Thank you.

Keith, again many thanks for the 'obit' announcement/memorial mass for Rita Bates. Much appreciated as always. Rita will be in my thoughts and prayers up here in the north. Memorials to the Howard Steamboat Museum on my docket.

R. Dale Flick
Summer on the shores of northern Lake Michigan.

Here´s the obit in case you want to sign the online guest book.

Carmen