Robert James Gallagher

Robert James Gallagher, age 95, died on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015 at his home in Grants Pass, OR.

Robert was born on Sept. 9, 1920 to Robert and Maria Gallagher in Garrison, North Dakota. In 1935 his parents moved the family to Salem, OR where he attended school and graduated from Salem High School in 1937.

In 1942 he was inducted into the Army Air Forces. He served in the Air Force for 3 1/2 years as a sergeant and radar technician in the Night Fighters Squadron 416. He was in the European Theatre for 2 1/2 years. His service included training in England, 2 years of active duty in Italy and a short time in Linz, Austria on occupation duty.

He married Marjorie Broer on Dec. 18, 1948 in Salem, OR. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1949 with a degree in business.

They moved to Grants Pass in 1952 where he was employed as a manager in the Broer Grocery Company, a family-owned corporation. Marjorie, her parents and two brothers and sister were owners of the company. When Broer Grocery Co. was sold he continued to work for Glaser Bros. another year before retiring in 1981.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church, now named Rogue Valley Community Church, and was active in leadership in earlier years serving on the board of trustees as chairman, and later as moderator of the church. He also served on the Grants Pass School District 7 budget committee for several years.

He was a charter (founding) member of the Golden Eagles Kiwanis Club, which began in 1983. The club raised funds to benefit local charitable organizations for 28 years before disbanding in 2011. He enjoyed bowling with several different teams in Grants Pass. He was a dedicated gardener and tranformed his yard into a place of beauty. He was a good neighbor who would always lend a hand.

Robert was very recently preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie, who died on Nov. 27, 2015.
He is survived by three daughters, Kathleen Gallagher, Grants Pass, OR, Maureen Gallagher, New York, NY, and Colleen Giambo, Cos Cob, CT; three granddaughters, Heather Giambo, Jessica Giambo, and Cassandra Giambo; two brothers, Brady Gallagher, Lake Oswego, OR and Richard Gallagher, Salem, OR.

The service for Robert will be held at the Hull and Hull Chapel, 612 NW A St., Grants Pass, OR on Thursday, Dec. 24th at 11 a.m.