Chuck Dahlgren had a smile as broad and bright as the sun on the Minnesota lakes he loved to go boating upon.

That smile was indeed a window to the character of the man. And it was Dahlgren’s character that set the tone for the culture of caring, thoughtfulness, customer commitment and fun that defined the workplace at Crystal D (asi/47759) during his nearly 30 years at the helm of the St. Paul, MN-based promotional products supplier.

Chuck Dahlgren, Crystal D

All that is part of Dahlgren’s legacy following his sudden passing on Monday, Oct. 10, following reported complications from surgery. He was 70 years old.

That Dahlgren’s legacy is supremely positive testifies to why his death is so difficult to take for those close to him.

“Our hearts are broken,” Crystal D said in a statement.

After purchasing Ice Nine Glass Design in 1993, Dahlgren renamed the company Crystal D – a nod to his daughter of the same name. Over the next 29 years, Dahlgren would spearhead the firm to success in the crystal awards and gifts categories.

Indeed, Crystal D was a multiple winner of the Counselor Distributor Choice Awards. Just last year, for instance, the firm took home first place in the Awards & Recognition category. The good work was driving expansion: In February 2022, Crystal D purchased a new 40,000-square-foot facility, a move aimed at enabling the company to carry more inventory and double its production capacity. 

Dahlgren was always quick to assert that the key to such success was good people working together in a positive culture – and it wasn’t just lip service. Employees gave the company such high marks that Crystal D made Counselor’s Best Places to Work in promo list four times in recent years, including placing 11^th in 2022.

“Our five core values – integrity, quality, respect, commitment and passion – are the driving force behind everything we do,” Dahlgren told ASI Media back in 2019. “We’ve worked hard to create this great culture where we continually recognize our Memory Makers [employees] for the excellent work they do. They’re always improving themselves and their teammates, and that allows us to give our customers an incredible experience each time they work with Crystal D.”

Dahlgren’s leadership – and his sincere respect for and empowerment of employees – was deeply appreciated by those who worked for him.

“Without hyperbole, I can say Chuck was a force of nature,” said Jesse Pageant, a former Crystal D production manager, in a reflection on his former employer. “His drive, focus and raw energy is something rare indeed. The world is lessened by his passing. I have worked many places but have always held Crystal D as the gold standard in culture, and that began at Chuck’s door.”

Dahlgren’s legacy at Crystal D will live on in more than memory and spirt. His wife, Jeanne Dahlgren, will be president of Crystal D, the family told ASI Media. His daughters Bridget Dahlgren and Audra Lehnert are involved with the company, too. Bridget serves as vice president of marketing. Audra is on the executive leadership team.

In a statement, Crystal D said it will be sharing information on funeral arrangements and a celebration of life on its website. If you’d like to send condolences to Crystal D employees and/or Chuck’s family, use one of these options: 651-925-3499; DahlgrenFamily@crystal-d.com; and/or Flowers & Gifts 505 Atwater Circle, St. Paul, MN 55103.