May 21, 2026
Local 862 Retiree Ron Hargrove Receives
Retired Worker’s Chapter Legacy Award
text and photos by Local 862 Member John Ellis
On May, 20th Solidarity Wednesday an abundance of our local 862 Retiree’s fellowship together for their annual Retiree Appreciation Day. This great event took place at our Local 862 (LAP) Ron Gettelfinger Hall located on Fern Valley Road in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s always an honor to fellowship with our great Retiree’s especially on Solidarity Day.
Members always remember our union is strong today, because of the foundation that our respective retirees have paved us. Our UAW Local 862 retirees fellowshipped with each other, as well as with Region 8 International Representatives Amanda Goins and Mark Dowell. It’s always incredible to see, international representatives to come back to their respective local 862 to fellowship with their retiree’s.
Retiree Appreciation Day, always brings great members, energy, laughter, fellowship, and great food. It’s was a special day for fellow Retiree Ron Hargrove has he received this year's Retired Workers Chapter Legacy Award. A Retiree deserving of such a great Award, not only for what Mr. Hargrove has achieved and passed on as a outstanding member in our Local 862 in our community as well. Members, Let’s continue to keep supporting and appreciating our great Retiree’s. Solidarity!
Local 862 Retiree Member Gordy Druien read the dedication for Ron Hargrove, a tribute that had been written by member Vanda Moore.
“Ron Hargrove is a 1974 graduate of Louisville Male High School and attended the College of the Ozarks where he studied Mass Media and Photography. Photography has been a calling for Ron. He started his career at Ford Motor Company’s Louisville Assembly Plant in 1976. Ron is the man you see at most UAW (United Auto Workers) events taking pictures, recording videos and doing interviews. And, he does it with a smile!
Ron worked in the plant for 31+ years, but his career did not stop there. He was the chair of the Publication Committee for many years after that. We begged him not to leave, but he was always only a phone call away. We called on him often, and we still do! Ron is a font of knowledge when it comes to photos, layout, and Local 862 history. Ron always reminds us that we have to tell the story, “Lest we forget.”
The OnLine Magazine is an award-winning publication. Many of the awards are due to Ron’s expertise. One of the MLPA (Midwest Labor Press Association) 2025 awards we brought home was for a cover designed by Ron. He always gives us ideas when we are at our wit’s end. He keeps a cool head when we get frustrated. He encourages us to keep moving forward, when we are tired and want to give up to finish an issue.
Ron is also very active in the community. He is involved with a group that is trying to reopen the Ormsby Boy’s and Girl’s club. A club where he spent his youth: learning, playing sports, getting to know other kids in his neighborhood. People he is still involved with today! Ron believes our city’s youth need a place to go, to be active, in order to stay out of trouble.
Ron has been active with The Louisville Defender, Louisville’s iconic weekly Black newspaper. It has been in existence for about 90 years. He has given time to the University of Louisville Photographic Archives and Louisville Magazine. He has worked with Louisville’s most prolific black photographers: Eddie Davis and the late Bud Dorsey. Ron uses his energy to participate with the A. Philip Randolph Institute, a Get Out the Vote organization lead by UAW Retiree Cylister Williams.
I call Ron my brother, as do most that know him. Ron is more than willing to do whatever is needed. He is kind, and concerned for the well-being of others. He was diagnosed with cancer several years ago. He kept a positive attitude and a smile. He followed his doctor’s orders, got exercise, ate right and fought the disease. We prayed for him as hard as we could, and he came out a winner! Add to the list of the things that Ron is…he’s a SURVIVOR! Ron has always been a bike rider, but now he rides in the Bike-To-Beat Cancer event.
If you know Ron, you understand why I call him “Brother Ron.” It’s not some special bond that we have, even though we do. Ron is a brother to everyone! This Black History Month, we salute Brother Ron. If you don’t know Ron, introduce yourself. He’s the guy with the camera.”
Congratulations to Ron Hargrove the 2026 Retired Workers Chapter Legacy Award winner! |
