RENE A. STIEGLER, JR.

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Oct. 20, 1922 - April 20, 2015. 

René was born in New Orleans, LA in 1922 and was a 1939 graduate of St. Aloysius High School. His first job at Kerr Steamship Lines at age 16, and he then attended Tulane University in New Orleans before being called to the Navy during World War II. René returned from duty to work for States Marine Isthmian Lines. 

In 1969 Rene Stiegler, junior started his own agency when States Marine  became Global Bulk Transport and closed its offices.  This was the start of Stiegler Shipping Co., which was formed in 1970 and later incorporated in 1973 as Stiegler Shipping Co., Inc. 

Global Bulk Transport later became Republic Steel’s Marine Division (Reomar) and was one of Stiegler’s first accounts as agents along with Hellenic Lines, Limited.  Other companies represented included Barber Steamship Lines; Barwil Agencies; Wilhelm Wilhelmsen; Peruvian Amazon Line; CGM French Line; ACL (Atlantic  Container Line); Mini Lines; Seagroup, Inc.; Nordana Line; Hachiuma Steamship; Daio Kaiun Ltd. and U.S. Lines, just to name a few.

He and  his wife, Kinta moved to Mobile in 1953, and had five children (Rene A  Stiegler III, Gary F Stiegler, Kim E. Stiegler, Kinta Stiegler Godwin  and Karen Stiegler Lupton.) He had 13 grandchildren, and now has 7 great-grandchildren. 

His son, Gary Stiegler joined Stiegler  Shipping Co., Inc. after graduating from college in 1972 and branched out into Forwarding and Chartering.  He presently manages the company, working with his son, Colin Stiegler.

Rene was dedicated to the steamship industry for over 60 years and served as a member of many clubs and associations such as:  president of the Mobile Steamship Association, The Propeller Club and the Catholic  Maritime Club. He was also a member of the S.C.S , the Harlequins, the Rotary Club, and the Athelstan Club and his weekly golf group at the Country Club of Mobile.