With 33 years as an SIU official, Assistant Vice President Don Anderson, 56, retired Oct. 31, 2006.Originally from Missouri, Anderson began sailing aboard inland tugs in 1969 and came ashore in St. Louis in 1973, working as a patrolman and organizer. He continued to help with organizing drives in St. Louis, Houston and Port Arthur, Texas. In 1986 he became port agent in Wilmington, Calif. and was appointed assistant vice president in charge of the West Coast, also in ’86. For the last 10 years, he has been working in the port of Tacoma, Wash.
Anderson last addressed the membership at the monthly meeting in Tacoma on Oct. 20, and six days later was given a proper SIU send-off, complete with a buffet-style luncheon/barbecue at the hall. Tacoma Port Agent Bryan Powell presented Anderson with a ship’s wheel from SIU President Michael Sacco and the union’s executive board for his many years of service, in addition to a number of other mementos from the staff and local membership.
Powell said, “Donnie has dedicated the past 33 years of his life to the SIU, serving our membership and furthering its interests. There are few among us who have not benefited from the efforts of people like Don and his willingness to go the extra mile. The staff and the membership here, I know, will miss him. He is a friend, a brother and a colleague to all of us, and on a personal note, the best fishing competition I have ever had.
“We wish him fair winds and calm seas and a happy and healthy retirement,” Powell concluded, “and look forward to his continued involvement with the union as a retiree member!”
“Donnie was a dedicated official who always looked out for the membership’s best interests, both on and off the job,” stated SIU Secretary-Treasurer David Heindel. “He opened his home to many seafarers who needed a place to sleep or may have just needed a meal, and it didn’t matter whether he knew them or not. If you were lucky, while staying with Donnie, he may have taken you to his favorite fishing hole to catch a huge Texas bass.
“I would like to wish him well in his retirement,” Heindel concluded. “He will surely be missed by all.”
When Vice President Contracts George Tricker became a patrolman in the port of Wilmington, he was taught the ropes under Anderson’s leadership. Tricker expressed thanks to his former supervisor for the countless lessons he learned and wished Anderson “continued health and happiness in your retirement.”
In reminiscing about his past 33 years with the union, Anderson stated, “I have always held it to be most noble to be so involved in the labor movement and, in particular, the SIU. It is amazing to me when I look back on times past and realize how far we have come as a union and as in industry.
“I can’t express in words alone how very proud I am to have been a part of the opportunities, growth and prosperity that has availed itself to us all over the years.”
There’s no question about what Anderson will be doing in his retirement. He and his wife, Joyce, have a business at home specializing in preparing tax returns for seamen. Additionally, they live on a 20-acre farm in Washington State with four of their six children (the two others live nearby), so there will always be something to keep them occupied.
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