The riverboat captain is a storyteller. Captain Don Sanders shares the stories of his long association with the river — from discovery to a way of love and life. This a part of a long and continuing story.
By Capt. Don SandersSpecial to NKyTribune
Last Sunday, May 17, the river lost one of its most fervent admirers and participants with the passing of Randall A. “Randy” Cochran II of Rabbit Hash. The upsetting news arrived at Aurora Bend a day later via the river community’s “Sternline Telegraph.”
Although our friendship goes back many years, I knew Randy’s dad first. “Ran” Cochran — the elder Randall — was best known as a photographer for the Cincinnati Enquirer newspaper. Ran, also a friend of “Cap’n” Betty Blake, perhaps the greatest steamboat promoter since Captain John W. Cannon, was the choice camera jockey for the Greene Line Steamers, Inc., owners of the Steamer DELTA QUEEN.
In 1970, Ran Cochran shot a series of photographs publicizing the officers, staff, and crew of the QUEEN. Fortunately, I was among those featured in the senior Mr. Cochran’s series of portraits authorized by Cap’n Betty…