City dedicates Harbor Master Building in honor of Danny Kaletsch
By Toni Miles
Mayor Tim Pierce and Danny Kaletsch
The City of Long Beach officially dedicated its Harbor Master Building in honor of longtime public servant and community leader Danny Kaletsch during a ceremony attended by City officials, family members, and residents on January 28.
The dedication recognizes Kaletsch’s years of service and his lasting impact on the Long Beach Harbor and the city’s waterfront operations.
Long Beach Mayor Tim Pierce, aldermen and community members gathered alongside harbor staff to praise Kaletsch for his dedication, professionalism and commitment to improving the harbor for both commercial and recreational boaters.
Danny Kaletsch (center) poses for a photo with City leaders at the ceremony. (Photo credit Toni Miles)
“Danny Kaletsch devoted countless hours to the City of Long Beach and to this harbor,” said Pierce. “This building will stand as a permanent reminder of his hard work, integrity and love for this community.”
Kaletsch is known for his hands-on leadership and for working closely with fishermen, boat owners, and City departments to ensure the harbor remained safe, accessible and well maintained. He retired from the City of Long Beach on June 30, 1999, with twenty-two years of service at the Long Beach Harbor.
Colleagues describe Kaletsch as someone who treats everyone with respect and who takes pride in serving the public, although he spoke with humbleness and appreciation at the January 28 dedication.
Many people congratulated Kaletsch (right) at the Harbor Master Building dedication. (Photo credit Toni Miles)
“It’s overwhelming,” Kaletsch said. “I was shocked they even brought this up [dedicating the building]. I came here in 1977 when I was thirty-one years old, and now I’m eighty.”
Family members also expressed gratitude for the City’s decision to honor Kaletsch’s legacy, citing his love for Long Beach and his joy working at the harbor, adding that seeing his name on the harbor master building is a true hoor.
The dedication ceremony included remarks from City officials, the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, and a moment of reflection recognizing Kaletsch’s contributions to the harbor and the broader community. Kaletsch also shared a few words of heartfelt appreciation at the ceremony.
City leaders noted that the Harbor Master Building plays a vital role in daily harbor operations and say the building will now also serve as a lasting tribute to a man who helped shape the waterfront’s success.
