Ron Knight
March 14^th, 1940 – November 22^nd, 2021

Ron Knight spent his entire career working in some capacity with Local 302, joining in 1966 as an oiler and maintaining equipment. Approximately in 1974 Ron took on the task of overseeing the White Swan Training Center as Local 302’s first Apprenticeship Coordinator, setting the foundation for what our Training Center has grown into today. In 1990 Ron became a Field Representative for the Local under Business Manager Larry Johnson, under who he would eventually become Vice President, and then President under Business Manager Clyde Wilson. Ron would go on to retire in 1999.

This is only a small breakdown of what Ron did for this union and the roles he took on. What cannot be expressed enough is the passion and dedication he had for our union. Ron took on the job of truly opening the Apprenticeship to everyone who wanted to better their lives with solid training through hard earned work. He was a champion for minorities and women who wanted to break into the industry, his legacy will be remembered by every apprentice’s hard work throughout the states of Alaska, Washington, and now Idaho as Local 302 & the Training Center continue to serve our jurisdictions. Ron always had the union’s best interests at heart, fighting for the union as a whole to be better in any capacity. He was a proud IUOE Local 302 member and wore it on his chest as a badge of honor. It’s hard to convey into words what Ron Knight’s work meant to this Local.

Ron is survived by his wife, Carrie Knight, and sons Brent & Ryan, along with his four grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held this spring, on April 9^th, 2022. It will be held at 206 S. Division St., Ritzville, WA 99169 at noon. A reception will also be held immediately following the service. If you are interested in attending, please reach out in advance to let the family know so they can plan accordingly. You can contact his son Brent at bknight@iss-safe.com or at (206) 755-1059. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family is asking to make contributions towards Alzheimer’s research.

Rest In Peace Brother Knight.

Below are testimonies from current or past members who knew Ron personally during his time with Local 302. We will be adding more as they come in, but if you are someone who knew Ron and want to submit your own testimony, you can send those to mainoffice@iuoe302.org.

Michael R. Conlon (Former Chairman of the Joint Apprenticeship Trust)
 

“Ron Knight pioneered the Apprentice Program as it is today. The entire IUOE Local 302 membership owes Ron a debt of gratitude for the establishment of a program that strived to attain a higher caliber of Operating Engineer. His energy and foresight will be surely missed.”

Larry Johnson (Former Business Manager, IUOE Local 302)

“'Hello Brother' followed by a handshake and a smile. That is how I remember Ron. He and I worked together for 20 years. He served as Apprenticeship Coordinator, Field Representative, Vice President, and Training Fund Trustee during his service. He had an unswerving loyalty to the members and his union. Ron helped me in our 1990 election for Business Manager in which we were successful in taking the union out of International supervision from the previous administration. Local 302 is indebted to the dedication Ron’s leadership brought to the Local. I will always be thankful for his support and friendship.”

Al Cummins (Current Field Representative, IUOE Local 302)

“Ron was a friend and a mentor to many of us over the years. His dedication and contributions to the membership of this union and the community will be missed.”

Lee Gulke (Former Treasurer and District Representative, IUOE Local 302)

“I worked with Ron for 20 years. Ron always had the union at his heart with whatever he did. He was a good, upstanding member who enjoyed working together with his brothers and sisters. He always fought for what was best for the union.”

Tami St. Paul (Former Apprenticeship Coordinator)

“Ron put together the Training Center that led to what it has become today. What made Ron stand out was that not only was he an amazing ambassador for the union, but he was also a great mentor who gave the best tips that I still remember today. Ron was the champion for forging a path for women & minorities alike to join the union and make it stronger.

James Agnew (Former Training Center Administrative Manager)

“I first met Ron in 1981. I was running a huge forklift at a dry sotrage marina and it was mostly for avid sport fishers. At the same time I really wanted to learn how to run heavy equipment, the only place I could find was a correspondence course. So I enrolled in that, nowing it was a stupid way to go but I didn't know any other way, all I knew is if it was big and yellow I wanted to run it. Ron used to go fishing with another guy named Ron. So we used to call them the "Rons". They were absolutely fanatical fishermen and were always together and went out all the time, I used to tease them that they weren't that good of fishermen and they told me I sucked at running the forklift. I had been launching their boat for almost a year when one morning I asked the other Ron if he knew anybody that had anything to do with heavy equipement. He laughed at that and said "you don't know what Ron does?" and he filled me in. I went through the apprenticeship application process in 1981with Ron's guidance and encouragement. I became an entry level apprentice in 1982. I knew that if I ever had a problem I could count on Ron for anything I needed. It seemed like his door was always open. As an apprentice I talked with Ron often and he was always happy and glad to see ya. I know that I'm not the only one that Ron has helped. He made a profound difference with all the people he brought into the union."