[Keith Norrington]

Sad news has come of the passing, on Friday, August 31st, of Mr. Robert K. Graul, beloved and well known photographer of Alton, Illinois, at age 94. Bob was the very gentlemanly and chief photographer for "The Alton Telegraph" for 41 years and had a special interest in the river. His photos are fabulous and he was especially proud of having documented the construction of the original Locks and Dam #26 and their replacement. He captured on film the transition from steam to diesel on the river and took many images of the Streckfus excursion steamboats, the Str. Golden Eagle and hundreds of other vessels that passed up and down the Mississippi at his doorstep. Many of his fine pictures are in the collections at the Alton Museum of History of Art, of which he was a longtime supporter (particularly of the River Room) and at the Hayner Public Library.

Bob is survived by one son, marine architect Tim Graul, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, three daughters, eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Bob's wife, Isabel, who was a church organist, preceded him in death in 2003. Funeral services are today at the Evangelical United Church of Christ, where Bob was a member of the choir. Burial will be in the Elsah Cemetery.

A kind and gentle soul, Mr. Bob will be missed by all who were privileged to know him. A whistle salute to his memory and with much gratitude for the legacy he leaves us in preserving our river heritage.