Captain Richard J. Karnath

Captain Richard J. Karnath, nicknamed Kutch, was born August 16, 1944, and passed away August 8, 2026.

He had a fabulous mid-century childhood. He grew up in Winona at the foot of the Mississippi River bluffs where he and the neighborhood crowd had plenty of room to roam and adventure. They built tree forts, played war, and converted the vacant lot next door into a baseball field. Kids spent the day outside and came home for dinner when they heard mom calling. After dinner they were back outside and played until the streetlights came on. During the winter they played hockey on the backyard rink that his dad created for them.

When he was not wandering the hills, he could be found on the water. His love of the Mississippi River came to him honestly as his father was a riverboat pilot (second generation). He and his dad, and brother Jim, renovated a broken-down run-about boat that served the family well for many years. Even with the 30 HP motor it could manage to pull a water-skier. Many hours of fun on the river!

He attended Jefferson Elementary and Junior High School then moved on to Winona Senior High, graduating in 1962. He excelled in math and sports. A separated shoulder cut his football career short, but he was great in track and field. His specialty was pole vaulting. In 1962, he went to state competition, where he came in 3rd place!

During his high school years, his dad bought the Invincible, a 1930’s tugboat and started Karnath Tug Service. The service was available 24/7 to help towboats get through locks and move barges around the various docks in Winona. Kutch and brother Jim were his go to deckhands. He learned a lot about the river in those years.

After high school he went to Mankato State College where he graduated in 1967. There was a gap in there which he spent in California working at Mattel Toy Corporation. When he finally decided it was time to be an adult, he got his teaching certificate from Winona State College, majoring in physics and math, graduating in 1969.

He immediately got a job teaching 9th grade math at Winona Junior High School. He was good at it and his students liked him. That job would keep him occupied for 13 years. In 1971, he married Joan League.

After their divorce and 13 years of teaching, he took a leave of absence from teaching: the river was calling. He got a job as a deckhand on the Delta Queen. As he worked his way up the steamboatin’ ladder, he said goodbye to teaching. Next stop, second mate on the Mississippi Queen. He then spent 8 years as First Mate. During that time, he wrote/drew for his pilot’s license and tried to learn everything he could from the pilots he worked with as a mate. When the Delta Queen Steamboat Company had its next opening for a pilot, he was ready. He was the 1st pilot to be on the American Queen’s maiden voyage!

He spent 12 years as a pilot on the Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen, and American Queen. It was hurricane Katrina (2005) that pulled the plug on his career.

His awesome accomplishments and fanfare were; “Captain Richard Karnath Day” was declared by Mayor Jerry Miller, was called the “Son of Winona”, was the Grand Marshall leading Steamboat Days Parade, Charlie’s D&D Bar designated “Kutch’s Day” where everyone wore printed t-shirts to celebrate him, he sang with the Winona Hims, in area choral groups, starred in theatrical plays, cemetery walks, had a love of symphonies and classical music. He had more culture in him than buttermilk!! He was asked to speak at area events and entertain the guests on the frequent cruises on the Cal Fremling boat. He met many famous people aboard the Queens. The Karnaths were known as River Royalty as he and his forebears spent a combined 128 years guiding America’s most historic steamboats on the Mississippi.

He was fascinating, unique, fun and funny.

His love for family was shown in all the silly antics while nieces and nephews were growing up leaving wonderful memories.

Later in life he married Debbie LaFee and acquired, much to his delight, two children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, all of whom love and admire him deeply. He knew the depth of love being a parent and the kiddos calling him “Grandpa Kutchy.”

He made a huge impression on everyone. He was genuine…. a good listener and excellent talker. He said he never met a microphone he didn’t like. He made you feel so high you had to look down to see heaven.

The youngest great-granddaughter said, “Our Kutchy is famous.” Yes, he sure is.

Kutch requested that his passing be observed simply, and honoring his wishes, there will be not be any services held.  His request is, wherever you are, hoist one up to the “Captain of the Mighty Mississippi.”

Jak sie masz.

You only live once, buy the damn boat!

Preceded in death by his father, Walter H. Karnath, mother, Doris Miller Karnath, brother, James W. Karnath and sister, Susan D. Murphy.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie LaFee Karnath, sisters, Jean Carrillo and Ruth A. Block, nieces, Lori Karnath Evans, Kendra Karnath Gray, Sarah Mulfinger, and nephews, Jared Block and Jason Gorsha; as well as: Jenny Ebbinger, Aaron LaFee, Kaitlyn, Emma, Carter, Logan, Ava, Erin, Ella, and a huge amount of close and dear friends he kept in contact with since his childhood and working on the boats.