Eugene Dowell Honored At Louisville Propeller Club’s Maritime Day

May 21 was the Louisville Propeller Club’s Maritime Day Ceremony.

The “Laying of the Wreath” honoring sailors and rivermen who have lost their lives in service of the nation’s waterways, was presided over by the Rev. John Fritschner of The Seamen’s Church Institute. The wreath was laid into the Ohio River off the stern of the passenger vessel CQ Princess and witnessed by onboard guests.

This year’s Louisville Propeller Club Maritime Day Person of the Year honoree was Eugene Dowell, former chief of operations with the Louisville Engineer District. Dowell retired in December 2017, with more than 20 years of service to the Corps.

After holding many positions within the Louisville District over many years, one of his continuing last jobs was trying to keep Lock and Dam 52 open for navigation, said Andrew Cannava, Louisville Propeller Club president.

“Gene’s professionalism and common sense know-how of our navigation system built a career of juggling, but he did it gracefully and with great respect for not only the people who worked for him, but all of us in the inland towing industry,” Cannava said. “If we didn’t know why, Gene always explained it and helped us get navigation moving and get products through to our customers.”