Dear Editor:

To say I was shocked would be an understatement. The recent passing of Cap. Bob Bosworth left me almost speechless. This is a man that I looked up to almost all my life. My career as a riverman began working for him, as well did my dad, and all my brothers too.

After working in this industry for 43 years, I have never met or knew anyone like him. Bob knew the business and he knew his men just as well. As for his boats, he could make them run when no one else could. Unlike today’s companies, Bob didn’t play favorites. Bob knew all his men on a personal level, if you were a deckhand, engineer, captain, pilot or a cook, it didn’t matter to him — he respected each one.

I can remember many times when I was young and full of it, I had my rear-end chewed out many times by this man for doing stupid things, but as soon as he spoke his peace and you left his office, it was over. You didn’t get reminded again or put on the list. Go out and do the best you could was all he ask for.

There is so much I could and would like to say, but this paper wouldn’t hold it all. So I will just finish by saying we in the business lost an Icon, and my prayers go out to the family.

Capt. Harry “Moke” Simpkins

Point Pleasant