[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 105 (Thursday, July 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1325-E1326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO BOBBY GUTHANS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JO BONNER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2011

  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, it is with heartfelt sadness that I rise to 
note the recent passing of a much-beloved member of the south Alabama 
community, Mr. Robert A. ``Bobby'' Guthans, who passed away at the age 
of 82 on June 5, 2011, after an extended illness.
  At the time of his death, Bobby was one of Mobile's most revered 
business and civic leaders. More importantly, he was the epitome of a 
family man and the dictionary definition of a true ``Southern 
Gentleman.''
  A native of Mobile, Bobby graduated from the Virginia Military 
Institute in 1951 with a degree in Chemistry. He was commissioned as an 
Army officer and spent the next two years fighting for his country in 
the Korean conflict. Bobby later served on the board of VMI, as well as 
on the board of Spring Hill College in Mobile.
  In 1971, he became president of B-R Dredging Company, a worldwide 
dredging operation. Two years later, he was named president of 
Midstream Fuel Service, Inc., Petroleum Energy Products Company and 
Tenn-Tom Towing Company--a position he held until his retirement in 
1999.
  Not only was Bobby Guthans an active supporter of Southeastern inland 
waterways but he was recognized around the country as one of its great 
leaders. Among his many roles, Bobby served as Chairman of the Board of 
American Waterways Operators; Chairman of the Southern Region of the 
AWO; Director of the Executive Committee of the Warrior-Tombigbee 
Development Association; Director

[[Page E1326]]

of the World Dredging Association; and as a member of the National 
Waterways Conference.
  Even with such an extensive business and volunteer portfolio, Bobby 
also made it a priority to find the time to serve as Chairman of the 
Board of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce; as a member of the Mobile 
Economic Development Council; the Mobile Industrial Development Board; 
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama; the Geological Survey of Alabama; 
and the Navy League of Mobile.
  In 1999, the U.S. Coast Guard bestowed upon Bobby one of its highest 
honors, the Meritorious Public Service Commendation. In addition, he 
received the Alfred F. Delchamps, Jr. Award and the National Rivers 
Hall of Fame Achievement Award. In 1990, the Propeller Club named him 
Maritime Man of the Year.
  While many would have been more than satisfied resting upon this 
exemplary record of accomplishment, Bobby Guthans--along with his 
loving wife, Barbara Ann--believed that real fulfillment in life came 
about by helping others.
  As a result, Bobby and Barbara Ann's generosity of spirit and 
goodness to one and all made them one of Mobile's most beloved couples.
  On a personal note, Mr. Speaker, I will always cherish the time I 
spent with Bobby--learning from him and watching as he used his wealth 
of contacts and his heart of gold to open doors and help others chase 
their own personal dreams. Not only was he generous with his time and 
talents, but Bobby was also a genuine and gentle man, someone Mobile 
will sorely miss.
  During this time of loss for his family and friends, I wish to extend 
my own condolences to his loving wife of more than 50 years, Barbara 
Ann, their two wonderful children, Robert A. Guthans, Jr. and Jean 
Guthans Wilkins; and their five grandchildren, C. Richard Wilkins, Jr., 
Christopher Wilkins, Michael Wilkins, Robert A. Guthans, III, and 
Taylor Lynn Guthans. You are all in our thoughts and prayers as you 
celebrate the life of a man we all loved and respected.

                          ____________________