He married Eithel Elena Schaffer at Vancouver, Washington, on October 9, 1922.
_______________________________________
Death Takes Riverboater
Charles E. Kern Serves 55 Years
Charles E. Kern, 70, veteran riverboat chief engineer, died suddenly Tuesday at St. Vincent's hospital after having been stricken with a heart attack Monday night.
He had been on the river for 55 years, nearly all of the period as an engineer, and had been on the steamers Henderson and Portland since 1945. He was chief engineer of the Henderson during the steamboat race two years ago and shared in the victory of the old vessel over the Portland.
Mr. Kern was born in Portland September 11, 1883, a son of Eldon A. Kern, who was long a chief engineer on the Columbia and Yukon rivers. His two brothers, the late Robert W. Kern and Eldon W. Kern, who now resides in Portland, also were marine engineers on the Columbia and Alaska rivers.
Early Start Made
Charles Kern started as a fireman on the Lurline when he was 15 years old. Later he served ten years as engineer on the Diamond O and he was on the steamer Northwestern when it completed its service on the Willamette river between Portland and Salem. As a young man he spent a few summers on the Yukon river. He spent one year at sea about 30 years ago.
Steamboat men gave him the nickname of "Hot Water Charley" because of his ability to keep the steamboat operating.
Surviving him are his widow, Ethel [sic], and daughter, Mrs. Lorraine Stevens, who reside at the family home, 12546 S. W. Lesser road. He was a member of the Veteran Steamboatmen's association and the Masonic lodge.
[The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, Thursday, December 10, 1953, page 18]
He married Eithel Elena Schaffer at Vancouver, Washington, on October 9, 1922.
_______________________________________
Death Takes Riverboater
Charles E. Kern Serves 55 Years
Charles E. Kern, 70, veteran riverboat chief engineer, died suddenly Tuesday at St. Vincent's hospital after having been stricken with a heart attack Monday night.
He had been on the river for 55 years, nearly all of the period as an engineer, and had been on the steamers Henderson and Portland since 1945. He was chief engineer of the Henderson during the steamboat race two years ago and shared in the victory of the old vessel over the Portland.
Mr. Kern was born in Portland September 11, 1883, a son of Eldon A. Kern, who was long a chief engineer on the Columbia and Yukon rivers. His two brothers, the late Robert W. Kern and Eldon W. Kern, who now resides in Portland, also were marine engineers on the Columbia and Alaska rivers.
Early Start Made
Charles Kern started as a fireman on the Lurline when he was 15 years old. Later he served ten years as engineer on the Diamond O and he was on the steamer Northwestern when it completed its service on the Willamette river between Portland and Salem. As a young man he spent a few summers on the Yukon river. He spent one year at sea about 30 years ago.
Steamboat men gave him the nickname of "Hot Water Charley" because of his ability to keep the steamboat operating.
Surviving him are his widow, Ethel [sic], and daughter, Mrs. Lorraine Stevens, who reside at the family home, 12546 S. W. Lesser road. He was a member of the Veteran Steamboatmen's association and the Masonic lodge.
[The Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, Thursday, December 10, 1953, page 18]
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