PATTERSON PURCHASES CAPE RIVER EAGLE

Gene H. Patterson has purchased controlling interest in River Eagle Distributing Co., a Cape Girardeau corporation that distributes Anheuser Busch products.

Patterson, who was one of three partners that founded the business in 1990, was an equal partner with James A Rust before purchasing Rust's interest recently.

Patterson is the company's president and chief executive officer and had served as general manager for the former Thilenius Distributing Co.

R. Clifford Smith, the third partner, is secretary-treasurer.

Three of Patterson's sons, Shawn, Kevin and Collin, work in the business.

That's one of the reasons for the move," said Patterson. "There's a good future here. I'm excited about it."

River Eagle Distributing of 2346 Rust Ave. provides Anheuser-Busch products in five counties.

"We have all of Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger counties and parts of Scott and Stoddard counties," said Patterson.

Patterson, Rust and Smith purchased the former Thilenius Distributing Co. in 1990.

"The company has done well," said Rust. "Anheuser-Busch is a class organization, and my partners have been great to work with, but I was ready to get out of the business and this opportunity came along."