2026 Honorary Marshal
Captain Dale Pederson, and Konrad Uri
Captain Dale Pederson - Former Virginia V Captain and longtime 17th of May Committee member
Captain Dale Mittet Pederson is a Seattle-based maritime professional whose career reflects a lifelong connection to the waters of the Pacific Northwest. He is best known for his service as a former captain of the historic vessel Virginia V, one of Puget Sound’s most iconic steamships. One might say Captain Dale Mittet Pederson was born into a legacy of serving on Seattle's 17th of May Committee. The year Dale was born in 1949, his father, Edgar was chairman of the committee. Following in his father's footsteps, Dale began working behind the scenes of Ballard Parade logistics in 1998. His title of Captain was acquired from 33 years on the staff of the Virginia V Steamship, performing over 125 wedding ceremonies. During his tenure, Captain Pederson was recognized for his steady leadership, sound judgment, and deep respect for both crew and vessel. With a career shaped by the traditions of Northwest seamanship, Captain Pederson exemplifies professionalism, safety, and dedication to maritime heritage. His command of Virginia V contributed to the continued operation and public appreciation of a treasured historic ship, reinforcing the importance of preserving living maritime history for future generations.
Konrad Uri - Fishing industry Pioneer
Konrad Uri was born in Seattle in 1934 to Norwegian immigrant parents, Konrad and Emma Aure, who hailed from Sunnmøre, Norway. He graduated from Ballard High School in 1953 and briefly attended the University of Washington before leaving to support his family following the death of his father. Fishing was already deeply rooted in his life, having started at a young age alongside his father and his Uncle, Sverre Aure.
In 1968, Konrad, his Uncle Sverre, and his brother-in-law Alf Sørvik built the SEAVIEW, a 91-foot crabber constructed at Pacific Fisherman Shipyard in Ballard. She was among the early vessels in the emerging Alaska king crab fishery, helping to establish what would become one of the most important fisheries in the region. This was followed by the RAINIER, a 110-foot crabber built in Tacoma in 1971, which became the true family vessel. Helen and the boys frequently sailed aboard, joined by nephews, neighborhood kids, and friends—creating not just a fishing operation, but a way of life centered on the water.
Over the course of his career, Konrad owned and operated numerous vessels, building a reputation as both a skilled fisherman and an industry innovator. Among these, the F/T Arctic Trawler stands as a defining achievement. As the first successful American factory trawler, it revolutionized the domestic fishing industry by enabling large-scale, at-sea processing previously dominated by foreign fleets. This groundbreaking work earned Konrad national recognition, including the prestigious National Fisheries Highliner Award. He was later honored as Northwest Fisheries Person of the Year for his lasting contributions to the field. He also received the King Neptune award from the Norwegian Commercial Club.
Beyond harvesting seafood, Konrad also played an important role in expanding its accessibility—most notably through his efforts to help introduce fish nuggets into the U.S. school lunch program, bringing high-quality seafood to a broader generation.
Konrad proudly served his country during the Korean War. In 1957, he married Helen Johanson at Ballard First Lutheran Church, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in family and community. Together they raised three sons—Konrad (KC), Kristian, and Karl Johan—and built a legacy that now includes six grandchildren.
Deeply connected to his heritage, Konrad was a pillar of the Norwegian-American community. His leadership and service included serving as President of the Norse Home, becoming a life member of the Norwegian Commercial Club, contributing as a board member of the Nordic Heritage Museum chairing their annual Auktion many years, participating in the Sons of Norway, and serving on the board of the Pacific Fisherman Co-op.
Konrad Uri’s life reflects a deep commitment to family, community, and the fishing industry—a legacy of hard work, innovation, and cultural pride that continues to resonate across generations.