1986 Bob and Ruth Kehl with President Reagan - TH Article Roberts River Boat RidesTriumphant return
,home for feted Kehls
David Shaffer
of the Telegraph Herald
Bob and Ruth Kehl, National Small Business Per-
sons of the Year, returned to Dubuque this morn-
ing to the applause of dozens of community leaders.
About 40 people met the Kehls for a brief reception
at offices of Iowa Airways at the Dubuque Municipal
Airport.
"We are probably not quite as excited about you
receiving the award as you are, but it comes pretty
close," said Rob Apel, executive director of the
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce. "This is the
first in what we hope will be a couple of events con-
gratulating you and thanking you for the outstanding
award you've won and the things you've done," Apel
said.
The Kehls, owners of Robert's River Rides, stood
luietly as representatives of the Dubuque City Coun-
A, the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors and
other groups congratulated them.
"It's probably been the most thrilling two days you
could see," Ruth Kehl said. "Yesterday we were in the
Oval Office shaking President Reagan's hand, and
that has to be the ultimate."
From Reagan, the Kehls received cufflinks and a
bookmark with the presidential seal.
Competition for the award was stiff, Bob Kehl said.
"When you read these stories about everybody, its
amazing we won. They must have put them in a
hat" to pick, he said.
Bob Kehl said the help he received from the cham-
ber and others had a lot to do with winning the
award.
,It wasn't really us that won it, it was their work in
putting it together," Kehl said.
Iowa also is bound to benefit, he said. "Iowa got put
on the map a Tittle I believe."
President Ronald Reagan met with Ruth and Bob
Kehl of Dubuque Thursday at the White House.
The Kehls were named Small Business Persons
of the Year this week. (UPI photo)
u� w< unaole co - the sus-
caugnt the man Inotue the Dank.
kenis win national SBA award
By Rich Kirchen
of the Telegraph Herald
Bob and Ruth Kehl of Dubuque,
who built their business from a
small diner to the largest excursion
cruise operation on the upper Mis-
sissippi River, today were named
the National Small Business Per-
sons of the Year.
The Kehls, owners of Robert's
River Rides, accepted the U.S.
Small Business Administration
award during a noon luncheon in
Washington, D.C.
SBA Acting Director Charles
Heatherly, who presented the
award, chose the Kehls from a
group of 10 regional finalists
nominated by an advisory commit-
tee of small business people. The
Kehls qualified for the national
award in March when they were
lamed Iowa winners.
The SBA credited the Kehls for
reviving the economy of northeast
Iowa." The SBA noted that the
- Kehls took the personal risk of
expanding their business in a
period of difficult economic condi-
tions in the Midwest.
The Kehls won the award over a
field that included a number of
high-technology and manufactur-
ing business owners from other
states, said Susan Walthall, public
affairs specialist for the SBA.
The criteria for selecting winners
include the growth and sales of a
Ruth and Bob Kehl of Dubuque were named the
Business Persons of the Year. (Staff photo)
business, the number of employees
and the contributions to the com-
munity.
The Kehls are scheduled to meet
President Reagan Thursday.
The Kehls could not be reached
for comment this morning. Their
son, Bob Jr., 24, said in Dubuque
national Small
today •that his parents were excited
about their trip to Washington and
the prospect of winning the
award.
"They think it's a great honor,"
he said.
Bob Jr., who manages the Spirit
of Dubuque, the smallest of the
Kehl's three paddlewheelers, said
the award is "good for the city of
Dubuque and the state of Iowa —
especially when it's in the tourist
industry, which is usually left out
when you think of jobs ..."
Robert's River Rides, with ports
at the Dubuque Ice Harbor and
Bettendorf, Iowa, expects to carry
close to 250,000 passengers this
year, -a 46 percent increase over
1985, said Bob Jr. The extra capac-
ity will result from the Kehl's new
boat, the Mississippi Belle II, which
is expected to arrive in Dubuque
June• I. Once the third boat is
operating, the Kehls will employ up
to 250 people, he said.
Bob Sr., 51, and Ruth, 44, started
their partnership in the dinner busi-
ness in 1960 when they bought a
72-seat cafe at 62 Locust St. in
Dubuque. Their first venture on the
river was in 1973 when they bought
the 150-passenger River Rogue,
which offered scenic cruises.
In 1977, the Kehls built their own
cruise boat, the 325-passenger
Spirit of Dubuque, which added
prime rib dinners to the scenic tour
routine. In 1984, the Kehls took the
major step of christening a larger
boat, the 800-passenger Mississippi
Belle.
The original Belle, now known
as the Quad City Queen, is based
in Bettendorf. The Mississippi Belle
II will have the same capacity as
the original, with extra features.
.01
AWc:
,o �J/^ g‘gtliV*,
City of Dubuque
Proclamation
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
Bob and Ruth Kehl own and operate "Robert's River Rides" which is
the No. 1 Tourist Attraction in the state of Iowa; and
Bob and Ruth have worked many 1ongand difficult hours pursuing
their business interests in Dubuque, first as cafe owners in 1960,
in 1973 when they started offering scenic cruises, in 1977 they
offered prime rib dinners on a scenic tour aboard the Spirit of
Dubuque, in 1984 they christened bthe 800 passenger Mississippi
Belle and in,1986, they will christen the Mississippi Belle II; and
the Small -Business Administration credited the •Kehls for "revising
the economy of northeast Iowa",, s they have their tour boats in
the Dubuque Ice Harbor and also'Bettendorf, IA and expect to carry
nearly:;250,000 ,:passengers this +ear and will employ close to 250
people.uring this season; And«:.,,.
Dubu ue i s extremelyq proud of �ts native son and daughter, Bob and
Ruth Kehl, who were natiorial lyacclaimed this last month by being
honored as the "National Small Business Persons,tf the Year" and
received from President Reagon btmself.`sincere congratulations and
of the
`'<$ �
UNCOIL, C TY
,0/
CITIZENS OF OUR CITY, I : JAMES E. BRADY, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, DO
HEREBY OFFER HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS TO ROBERT AND RUTH KEHL ON THIS OUT-
STANDING ACHIEVEMENT. THIS HONOR REFLECTS WELL=SON YOUR OWN PERSONAL REPUTATION
AND ENDEAVORS AND ALSO REFLECTS .e ONOR;=AND GLORY TO THE STATE OF IOWA, AND
ESPECIALLY, OUR OWN GREAT CITY OF DUBUQUE!L
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
Occasion.
gifts
NOW THEREFORE, ON BEHALF,OF THE CITY CO STAFF, AND ALL PROUD
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand and caused the Great Seal
of the City of Dubuque to be affixed
this 2nd day of June, 1986.
James E. Brady, MAYOR
ATTEST:
Mary A. Davis, City Clerk
vc:AW *ev
!� e
NEWS RELEASE
Dubuque has a connection with the Nation.
Robert and Ruth Kehl were named National Small Business People
of the Year during ceremonies in Washington, D.C. for the U.S.
Small Business Week and Dr. Naum Staroselski of Des Moines won
a special Advocacy Award for Innovation. Dubuque, Iowa;
Des Moines, Iowa; and the State of Iowa have won the national
lottery. Iowa has proven that it can compete successfully with
any other state in the nation. We are the #1 corn grower, but
we also have the entrepreneurial spirit that is indicated by
these national winners. The theme of this week's activities was
"Small Business is Big in the USA."
The Dubuque connection is further enhanced by two local companies
doing business with the Small Business Winners from two other
states. A. Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. customer, Mr. Philip Edelstein,
Owner of Danbury Plumbing Supply Co., Danbury, Connecticut was
the award winner for Connecticut. Mr. Michael Gordon, distributor
of FDL Foods, Inc., was the winner for the State of Mississippi.
Mr. Gordon purchases several truckloads of pork each week from
FDL Foods. The attorney for Compressor Control Corp.,
Dr. Staroselski's company, is Mr. William C. Brown who is a nephew
of William C. Brown of Brown Publishing Co. of Dubuque, Iowa.
The winners were greeted at a reception at the Russell Senate Office
Building by Senator Charles Grassley and Senator Tom Harkin. The
Kehls and Dr. & Mrs. Staroselski and son, Sergio, were also enter-
tained at a Congressional luncheon at the Rayburn House Office
Building yesterday with Congressman Tom Tauke and Congressman
NEWS RELEASE
- 2 -
Jim Leach in attendance. Congressman Neal Smith was represented
by an aide as he was in the hospital with the flu. Smith is the
Congressman for Staroselski.
Mr. & Mrs. Kehl were also received by the President of the United
States at a private reception in the Oval Office. Bob Kehl was
presented with cufflinks with the Presidential Seal and Ruth
received a bookmark.
R. D. McDonald
A. Y. McDonald Mfg. Co.
4800 Chavenelle Road
Dubuque, IA 52001
319/583-7311