Ulric Dahlgren

Ulric “Ric” Dahlgren IV

September 09, 1941 – October 29, 2022

Ulric "Ric" Dahlgren IV, 81, former Annapolis City Harbormaster, passed away peacefully on October 29th, 2022, surrounded by family. Ric was a longtime resident of Annapolis, MD, and a descendant of Rear Admiral John Dahlgren (USN). The Naval Academy's Dahlgren Hall and NSWC in Dahlgren, Virginia, were named for his great-great-grandfather, inventor of the Dahlgren Cannon (Gun), the standard armament on Union Navy ships during the Civil War. Like his ancestor, Ric had a thirst for knowledge and a passion for the water.

Born in Fredericksburg, VA, in 1941, his family soon moved to California. Ric graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 1964 and joined the Marine Corps, rising to the rank of Captain. After a deployment to Vietnam in 1965, he returned to California, where he worked as an air traffic controller, commercial abalone diver, and harbor patrol officer. Ric held a 100-Ton USCG Master License and was an experienced mariner captaining various watercraft, from sailboats to large commercial vessels. In 1981, he moved to Annapolis, MD, where he immediately began working in the marine industry, oyster diving and captaining tour boats such as the Harbor Queen, Miss Anne, and various water taxis.

In 1988, Ric became the Annapolis City Harbormaster, a position he held until his retirement in 2010. He oversaw many improvements to modernize the downtown waterfront that enhanced the safety, utility, and appearance of City Dock. As Harbormaster, Ric met many people in the boating community and is fondly remembered by international boaters and Annapolitans alike. Ric also served as the volunteer Dock Master for the "Chesapeake Appreciation Days" event held annually at Sandy Point State Park and volunteered with the Civil Air Patrol.

Ric had numerous interests and hobbies, including sailing, aviation, motorcycles, and reading. He enjoyed sailing his Dreadnought 32 sailboat, "La Paloma," which can be seen in numerous paintings, photographs, and postcards of Ego Alley at City Dock. As a licensed pilot, Ric enjoyed flying his Piper Tri-Pacer and was certified with commercial and multi-engine ratings. There were few machines he could not operate, and as a skilled mechanic, fewer he could not repair.

Ric was a brilliant Renaissance man, raconteur, and storyteller, with a broad knowledge of history, literature, art, and music. To his friends and family he was known as a historian, philosopher, creative writer, skilled gardener, and animal whisperer. He rescued animals from feral cats to baby birds. Plants, pets, and people thrived under Ric’s nurturing and gentle hand.

Ric had many personal and professional accomplishments, but he was most proud of his family. He enjoyed spending time with grandkids, and some of his favorite moments were spent with his children, celebrating holidays or simply stopping by for dinner.

Ric is survived by his wife and best friend Joanne Hilton Dahlgren, his son John Singleton Dahlgren (Elisa Pellegrini) of Deale, MD, son Ulric (Nasrin) Dahlgren V and grandchild Nadia & Ulric VI Dahlgren of Lothian, MD, daughter Susan Dahlgren grandchildren Val Harms, Hallie Harms, and great-grandchildren Jazlyn Autry, Amaya Autry, and Nylah Parker of Aurora, CO. Brother Joseph Dahlgren of Santa Barbara, CA.