Harry and Ron: This candid photo of Harry Bridges embracing Dalgarno was one of Ron’s favorite pictures. Also pictured here from left to right are Martin Jugum, Ray Rhinehart and Dick Erickson.
The ILWU Local 21 hall in Longview was packed on January 21st with friends and family who gathered together to remember Ron Dalgarno, a longtime Local 21 member who passed away on January 16th at the age of 73. Ron joined ILWU Local 43 in the early 60s when he helped to organize his shop, Welsh Panel, into the warehouse local.
“It was great to see so many people at the hall on Saturday to celebrate Ron’s life and hear how he impacted people’s lives,” said Jason Lundquist, Ron’s step son, who is also a member of Local 21. “He was my best friend.” Ron obtained class “B” registration in Local 21 in 1963 and soon after became “A” registered. Ron was a proud member of the ILWU and began serving on the Labor Relations Committee of Local 21 and attended longshore caucuses as a delegate in the 70s and 80s. He retired in 2000.
He was well known up and down the Coast for his frank, honest and colorful commentary in meetings and at the post-caucus discussions. He became good friends with Harry Bridges at these gatherings, and he and Harry shared stories first at Harry’s favorite hangout, Harrington’s in San Francisco, and later at a convention and caucus in Vancouver, BC.
“You always knew where you stood with Ron because he would tell you directly,” Lundquist said. “He always told me, ‘Not everyone is going to like you, but they can respect you.’” Ron’s directness was an asset as a negotiator said Carl Nys, a friend and colleague of Delgarno. Nys worked alongside Ron on the docks and also served with him on the Labor Relations Committee. “He wasn’t what you would call a diplomat. He wasn’t afraid to hurt the employer’s feelings and he definitely earned their respect,” Nys said. “Ron had a a multitude of truisms that he used. One of his favorites was ‘Help the needy not the greedy.’”
“He was the epitome of the longshoreman of his time and before: strong as a bull, outspoken, and a hard working rank-and-filer who cared deeply about the ILWU,” said Nys. Dalgarno is survived by two sons,
Dennis Dalgarno of Kalama and Dan Dalgarno (Mariann); a daughter, Ashley Dalgarno; two stepchildren, Jason and Kim Lundquist; a twin brother, Don Dalgarno; a sister, Jayne McPhee; and three grandchildren.