Oil Patch Bits: TOTE dedication honors maritime industry legend

Totem Ocean Trailer Express Inc. said Sept. 22 that legendary maritime and Pierce County community leader, Robert P. Magee, was honored Sept. 21 with the naming of Totem Ocean Trailer Express Inc.’s Tacoma terminal in his memory.

The Robert P. Magee Terminal dedication ceremony at Port of Tacoma was attended by about 150 industry and community leaders, extended family members, TOTE customers and employees who gathered to pay tribute to a man many described as visionary.

After Bob’s death in November 2009, TOTE employees rallied around the idea of honoring Bob’s memory with a tribute. “The terminal was perfect because Bob loved Tacoma. He came out of the vessel department and so spent much of his time at our terminal. Even as the CEO of American Shipping group, TOTE’s parent company, you could always find Bob back down at the terminal on a random afternoon or the morning after a ship sailed,” said John Parrott, TOTE president.

The Robert P. Magee Terminal name is proudly displayed on signs at each gated entrance to the terminal, as well as in front of the administration building at 500 Alexander Ave in Tacoma, Wash.