b'MEMBER NEWSWilliam Paul Bill DowApril 14, 1936 - Sept. 13, 2022L ongtime PVA member Bill Dow, LakeExpress. The elegant Lac du Saint Sacrement, GeorgeSteamboatCompanypassedLake of the Blessed Waters was drafted and away this month in New York. Bill wasbuiltbyBillforLakeGeorgeandcommis-well known to many PVA members and repre- sioned in 1989.sented the entrepreneurial spirit of early PVA members who made great strides in shapingFollowing this contribution to the Company the passenger vessel industry. The following isandcommunity,hehadthebreathtaking excerpted from his obituary, as it fittingly high- work barge Ticonderoga built, which has been lights the life of a truly remarkable man: used by the Village as the fireworks barge since 2003. For fifteen years straight, every summergenerosity and humbleness, and we will try to LAKE GEORGE - William Paul Bill Dow,up until August 2022, he tirelessly went outcarry forth his example of treating all those 86, went up to the Big Steamboat in the Sky oneach week to light up the night with beautifulhe met and knew with honor, fairness, and Sept. 13, 2022, in the peace of his home. fireworks. He was very proud of the fact thatrespect.Hedearlycherishedandwascher-the Lake George Steamboat Company is one ofished in return by all of the past and present Born April 14, 1936, in Jersey City, N.J. tothe oldest, continuously operating passengeremployees of both the Lake George and New Wilbur and Ruth Dow, he was the oldest ofcarrying services in the world.Orleans Steamboat Companies.three children. His sister, Lynn Webster, pre-deceased him. He had a strong passion for creating, building,He will be forever loved by his devoted wife, and bringing beauty into the world. He alsoPatricia; remaining sister Lee; children: Rebec-Experiences shaping his character included hisloved history, reading, the founding fathers,ca,Luke,BizzieandBubba;granddaughter, early education at The Pingry School, the 1954America, golfing with friends, and refreshingAdelyn; and first wife, Susan Huxtable.expedition to find the Magnetic North Polelibations after a day of striking a blow for with Wilbur, years in the Navy traversing theLiberty. We will miss his quick cutting wit,Thefamilyisrequestingthatnoflowersbe Pacific Ocean, and most notably his arrival tohistorical anecdotes that reflected knowledgesent and that in memory of Bill, please make Lake George, N.Y. in 1964. ofthepastalwaysapplicabletothepres- a donation to the American Legion Post 374, enthis protest of modern technology, andLake George; Friends of Mountainside Library, In 1965, Bills pioneering spirit and desire toadoration for duct tape. Possibly more thanCleverdale; St. James Episcopal Church, Lake explore Lake Georges depths and crystal-clearall of that though, we will miss his unwaveringGeorge; or the Lake George Emergency Squad.waters, led him to purchase a one-man research submarine, the Porpoise.Afterhisharrowingattempttohelpfinda missingpersonoffDiamondIslandalmost ended in disaster, Bill decided to devote hisWe take the heat, efforts to above-water projects and would go on to oversee the construction of some of theso you dont have to.finest excursion vessels in the country. In 1966, Cool. Because you need it. Bill completed the conversion of the MOHI- So no matter where you operate, hot days CANs superstructure from wood to steel; inand heavy loads will never slow you down. two stages in 2016 and 2017, he replated her original riveted hull; both efforts to ensure the MOs continued safe operation into the future.In 1968, he began construction of the beloved Minne-Ha-Ha, which had her maiden voyage in 1969. In 1973, Bill founded the New Orle- GRIDCOOLERWEKA Omega LaserTranter ans Steamboat Company and began construc- Keel Cooler Boxcooler Plate SUPERCHANGERtionoftheiconicSteamboatNatchez,who took her maiden voyage in 1975. In addition to the Natchez, he has owned and operated the Sternwheeler Cotton Blossom, the Riverboatsfernstrum.com| 1.906.863.5553| sales@fernstrum.com President,MarkTwain,BeckyThatcher,ISO 9001:2015M/V John Hames Audubon, and the Audobon2022 R.W. Fernstrum & Company. All rights reserved. FERNSTRUM and GRIDCOOLER are registered trademarks of R.W. Fernstrum & Company. All other trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners.31 SEPTEMBER 2022'