Talmage E. “Tal” Simpkins, who spent more than 50 years promoting both U.S. maritime labor and the entire seafaring community, died March 11 at Fairfax (Va.) Hospital due to injuries sustained in an auto accident the previous month. He was 79.
Simpkins served the industry in many capacities, including as an official with the National Maritime Union beginning in 1970. At the time of his death, he was in his 18th year as president of United Seamen’s Service, an organization that provides health, welfare and recreational services to American and international mariners at eight overseas ports. In 2006, he had retired from his position as executive vice president of the Washington, D.C.-based Labor Management Maritime Committee. He also served for many years as the director of the AFL-CIO Maritime Committee.
SIU Vice President at Large René Lioeanjie (president of the NMU from 1997 until that organization merged into the SIU in 2001) remembered Simpkins as a versatile official with a penchant for organizing campaigns. He particularly cited Simpkins’ strong work in Panama, where he was instrumental in advancing workers’ rights.
“He was a great person, and his death is a shock to me,” said Lioeanjie. “He was very well-known and well-respected in Panama and throughout the rest of our industry. He was always supportive. My condolences go out to his family.”
“He was a wonderful man who cared deeply about the maritime industry,” said SIU Government Services Representative Kate Hunt. “He was there for some of the early fights and responsible for a lot of the positive legislation for the guys in the government fleet. Tal was around for a long time, and he truly helped advance the rights of American merchant seamen.”
SIU Vice President at Large Charlie Stewart stated, “I hold Mr. Simpkins in the highest esteem. He was a good friend and a loyal part of our organization. He came there when things were rough, and he did an excellent job. He was a great guy—very helpful, very good for us.”
John Bowers, president of the International Longshoreman’s Association, said, “Tal Simpkins generously gave of his expertise, time and true dedication to maritime labor during his half-century of commitment to the benefit of our industry. His voice in Washington will be missed as will his leadership of United Seamen’s Service during difficult years of transition.”
A native of Goreville, Ill., Simpkins attended school in Illinois and in 1945 enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After completing basic training at Parris Island, S.C., he received a fleet appointment to the United States Naval Academy in 1946, and was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps on November 26, 1947.
He enrolled at the University of Maryland in 1948, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1952. Upon graduation, he worked in advertising and insurance, until joining the AFL-CIO Maritime Committee in 1956
In 2002, Simpkins was awarded a special United Seamen’s Service Admiral of the Ocean Sea Award (AOTOS) in recognition of his dedicated career benefiting American seafaring labor. In addition to his long commitment to USS, Simpkins served on the Military Sealift Command’s National Defense Executive Reserve Unit; was a member of the U.S. Labor Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations and Trade Policy; was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to serve on the National Advisory Council on Continuing Education; and was a member of the U.S. delegation to the International Load Line Convention in 1966.
He also was active on many local government boards in Prince George’s County, Md. for many years.
Tal Simpkins is survived by his wife, Heidi. He was preceded in death in 1996 by his first wife, Irene Ann, whom he married in 1947. They had one son, Talmage E. Simpkins, Jr. (Buddy).
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be sent to United Seamen’s Service, 635 Fourth Ave., Ground floor, Brooklyn, NY 11232.
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