Alaskans have lost a community and business leader, a visionary and risk-taker, a devout family man and friend ... and one heck of a Resurrection Bay silver salmon angler.
Lifelong Alaskan Dale Lindsey passed away at home in Seward on November 21, 2007, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 71.
Dale was born in Seward on January 6, 1936, and lived there on the same family property since he was 9 months old. He and his wife, Carol, acquired Andy’s Oil Delivery in Seward in 1959 and transformed the company into Harbor Enterprises, Alaska Oil Sales, Petro Marine Services, and North 60 Petro Ltd., with employees in Southcentral and Southeast Alaska and Western Canada.
His business success, his integrity, compassion, personal charisma and his tireless commitment to the community encouraged everyone who knew him.
In 1995, Dale was named the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce’s “William A. Egan Alaskan of the Year,” and in 1997, he and Carol were inducted into the Alaska Business Hall of Fame.
Dale joined Andy’s Oil Delivery in 1956 as a truck driver. Previously he had worked as a locomotive fireman for the Alaska Railroad, as railroading was a family tradition. His father, brother and grandfather were career Alaska Railroaders. He was also a commercial fisherman with his brother-in-law, Ray Anderson, in Chignik, but was better known as a shrewd poker player among his fellow fishermen.
Under Dale’s leadership, Petro Marine pioneered international marketing in the Russian Far East, successfully competed with global competitors in the growing Bering Sea fuel market and through acquisitions expanded from Seward throughout Southcentral Alaska, and eventually into Southeast and the Yukon Territory.
Throughout his life, he was driven by a sense of purpose and a vision of what the future could be. Dale never let this obsession alter his genuine enjoyment and appreciation for the present: his family, friends, employees and loyal customers.
Among his favorite pastimes was taking friends and business associates trolling and jigging for silver salmon in Resurrection Bay aboard his boat(s), all named “The Forty Niner.”
As host on the Forty Niner, Dale went overboard. Literally. In addition to baiting hooks and setting downriggers, landing fish and serving fried chicken lunches and ice cream bars to his guests, he more than once took an accidental dip into the bay.
Service and loyalty were the hallmarks of his philosophy, traits that he carried forward in his business and personal conduct. They were the cornerstones of his life. Whether it was the Forty Niner or his business, Dale liked things clean, tidy and orderly. He was known as “Mr. Clean” at the office and at home.
Success never changed him. He was kind, generous, down-to-earth and had a terrific sense of humor throughout his career and life. Dale was as comfortable clearing dishes from the table after he and Carol hosted a dinner at their home as he was in hammering out the crucial details of a business deal.
He owned several crab fishing vessels during his career. He was a founding partner of Winstar and Ultrastar Exploration LLC … the first Alaskan-owned independent oil and gas companies to explore and drill for oil on the North Slope.
Just as his entrepreneurial endeavors demonstrated his enduring belief in the free enterprise system, his contributions to public service organizations and his commitment to philanthropy reflected a profound sense of responsibility, respect, and appreciation for Alaska and Alaskans. He was very proud of his Alaskan heritage.
Dale served on the boards of the Alaska SeaLife Center, the Alaska Railroad Corporation and Northrim Bank. He was also a member of Commonwealth North, Resource Development Council for Alaska, The Alliance, Junior Achievement of Alaska and many other public service boards and commissions. He and Carol have been among the most prolific supporters of the Alaska SeaLife Center, along with many other Alaskan charities and several global Christian missions.
Dale is survived by Carol, his wife and partner of 53 years; son Keith and daughter-in-law, Dorene, of Seward; son Kurt and daughter-in-law, Diana, of Anchorage, and a daughter, Tammi, also of Anchorage. He was preceded in death by two sons, Craig and Kent; his parents, Ed and Eva Lindsey; a brother, Jack Lindsey, and sister Shirley Webb. He has four grandchildren: Matthew and wife Tiffany, and Kristopher of Anchorage, and Autumn and Craig Lindsey of Keystone Heights, Florida. A sister, Margaret Anderson, also lives in Seward.
A Celebration of his Life was held on Sunday, December 2, at 2.pm. at the Alaska SeaLife Center.
Memorial contributions may be directed to a charity of choice, or:
The Seward Community Library/Museum Project
City of Seward
PO Box 167
Seward, AK 99664
Alaska Community Foundation
400 L Street, Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99501
