Letter: Capt. Vernon Sturgeon

I was sorry to read the obituary notice for 92-year-old Capt. Vernon Sturgeon in the July 25 issue of The Waterways Journal.

Although I had only met or spoken to him a few times in person, I, along with many others, will always fondly recall his distinctive, baritone radio voice and light banter as he referred to his long-time ride, the Girlie Knight as the “Little Girlie.”

Even following retirement, while tripping for several years aboard AEP’s Donna Rushing, Capt. Sturgeon could be heard beginning or ending radio conversations as the “Little Donna.” 

The river fraternity has lost another colorful character.

Capt. Jeff L. Yates