Retired SIU of Puerto Rico President Keith Terpe passed away May 30 in California. He was 80.A native of Minnesota, Brother Terpe embarked on his profession with the Seafarers in 1949 in the port of New York. After sailing for several years in the deep sea division in both the steward and engine departments, he came ashore as a union official.
SIU Executive Vice President John Fay recalled first meeting Terpe “while I was still going to sea and he was head organizer for Atlantic Refinery. He was a good organizer and he was dedicated to the cause.”
Brother Terpe was elected as a patrolman for the port of New York in 1969 and later became president of the SIU of Puerto Rico. He retired in 1981.
Victor Nunez, SIU port agent in Puerto Rico, noted that Terpe “was very politically active. He also did a lot of organizing for the UIW. He is remembered by many people in this region.”
Brother Terpe was proud of the pivotal role the SIU played in the economics of the commonwealth during his tenure as president. In a piece which was written for his presidential column in the union’s magazine in July 1969, Brother Terpe said, “Clearly, The Island of Dreams as Paul Hall frequently refers to lovely Puerto Rico, has demonstrated that under a free, democratic system and with a free democratic labor movement great progress not only could be made—bust has been made! Once again we must state that we are proud to have been an integral part of this amazing success story that is Puerto Rico today from the poor house of the Caribbean to the showcase of affluent democracy.”
Retired SIU Vice President Contracts Red Campbell worked with Terpe in Puerto Rico for approximately six years. He recalled that Terpe kept an unusual pet around the office. “He had a jaguar—not a car, a real one, “ Campbell said.
Survivors include his wife, Marilu; his sons, Keith and Kent; daughters Kim Lerman and Karen Palmer; and his sister, Kaye McMarlin.
###
Printer Friendly Page