Richard “Dick” Frederick Galleher March 1923 – May 2010 Resident of Poulsbo, Washington and Nome, Alaska. After an event-filled 87 years, Richard passed away peacefully at his home in Poulsbo on May 13th. Dick was son of the late Marie Soll and Richard Lewis Galleher, the beloved husband of Joyce Peterson Galleher for over 58 years, and the loving father of Gail, Brian, & Blaine.
Dick’s early years were all about boats, until he learned to fly at the age of 18. After almost three years as flying instructor in the Army Air Corp, and several more operating a seaplane base in Bremerton, he married Joyce in 1951 and the two of them set off on an incredible adventure in Alaska that spanned that great state over the next twenty years.
After operating Munz Northern Airlines in Nome with his wife from 1962 until 1983, they sold the airline and retired to Poulsbo Washington, where his love for boats was rekindled when he bought a 41’ ketch and named it the Joyce Elaine. Between boating with fellow wanderers from the Poulsbo & Bremerton Yacht Clubs and touring with friends from the Olympic Vintage Auto Club, in the 1938 Darrin Packard they’d owned since their courtship days, Dick lived life to its fullest. Still, with all his toys there was nothing that Dick prized more or treated better than his family.
Dick will forever be remembered by his beloved children Gail Galleher (Frank Flavin) and Blaine Galleher (Kim Allen Galleher), treasured grandchildren Brett and Conner Merboth, brother Jerry Galleher (Dede Galleher), nephew Dave George and niece Jennifer Vroom, sister-in-law Jeanne Mitchell along with countless friends and family around the globe who were blessed to know him. He was preceded in death by his infant son Ross Michael, his much-loved son Brian Gareth, his parents, and his sister Virginia George.
Besides family, Dick loved traveling (especially Mexico), reading, woodworking, boating, driving his ’38 Packard, and flying. He enjoyed being with family and friends. He touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of humor to his last day. In aviation lingo, we know Dick now has CAVU flying conditions – Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited
While plans understandably are still up in the air, it is the family’s intent to bring Dick home to Nome in the fall to have his ashes scattered alongside his son Brian. At that time we hope to have a gathering in Nome, in celebration of Dick’s life, and look forward to sharing many fond memories. Until then, we invite you to visit the Cook Family Funeral Home website (www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com) to sign the guestbook and post a comment. We sincerely thank everyone in Western Alaska for your sentiments and kinds words of support.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dick are suggested to the Pioneers Igloo #1, the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum (alaskaairmuseum.org), the Nome, Alaska Radio Stations KICY or KNOM, or to the organization of your choosing. Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home.
