Arni Richter with his bicycle in 1913 Born in 1911, the former president of the Washington Island Ferry Line had a rich and storied life and a huge impact on the Island's very lifeblood, its connection to the mainland. Arni passed away on December 13, 2009, and we honor him with this photo tour of his long life.
Three Arnis Arni Poulson, who worked at the Icelandic Consulate; Arni Gudmundsen; and Arni Gudmundsen's grandson, Arni Richter, at age 19; in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The Richter Family at Sturgeon Bay Shipbuilding & Drydock, June 1950 (from top) Margaret & Carl G. Richter (Arni's mother and father, namesake of C.G. RICHTER ferry); Carol Richter, cousin Jean Leasum; Arni and Mary Richter; Margaret Leasum (black coat, photo by husband, Herman); Emma and Paul Richter (Arni's brother, sister-in-law).
Carl Godfrey Richter Arni's father Carl Godfrey Richter in the ferry wheelhouse (date unknown).
Arni in the wheelhouse of the C.G. Richter in the early 1960s.
(from left) Arni Richter with Dick Purinton and Dick's father Harry Purinton At Peterson Builders in Sturgeon Bay on the morning the Robert Noble hull was rolled out of its shed and turned over for topside construction outdoors, in January 1979. Dick's father worked as a marine engineer for 40 years at R.A. Stearn Inc.
At the christening of the new Washington in June 1989. (left to right) Mary Richter's sister Mert, Mary and Arni Richter, Bob Thompson (a designer with Tim Graul Marine Design in Sturgeon Bay).
Arni in the doorway of the old ferry office in the early 1990s.
Arni Richter with Captain Nathan Gunnlaugsson in the Eyrarbakki wheelhouse, early 1990s.
Arni and Mary Richter in the early 1990s.
Arni Richter in the C.G. Richter wheelhouse, about 1995.
Arni Richter at Northport Dock in 1994 during the harbor's breakwall construction.
Arni on the Arni J. Richter at Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay – bringing the new ferry back to the Island, May 2003.
The Robert Noble, loaded, about to leave the island ferry dock.
A summer view of the Arni J. Richter departing, West Channel, Detroit Harbor.
The Arni J. Richter outbound from island, winter 2004.
Arni J. Richter
The former head of the Island Ferry Line passed away on Dec. 13, 2009.
View related article about Arni J. Richter.
