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Robert J. Gallagher dies at 94. March 26, 2017. He was born in Madison Wisconsin September 27, 1922 to Esther Ann Endregart and William Edwin Gallagher. Esther worked in housekeeping and doing peoples laundry to make ends meet, and William worked odd and ends jobs and ran a basement brewery during the prohibition. They opened and ran the Five Star Navy Bar in Delavan, Wisconsin. Robert’s Grandfather Thomas Francis Gallagher was a pioneer rail man and Engineer with the North Western railroad and had started work at age 10. His ancestors came to America from Donegal Ireland, during the Great Potato Famine in the 1840’s. Robert grew up in Wisconsin, and when he was 17 he fibbed about his age so he could join the Navy and proudly serve with his four brothers George, Jerome, Gerald, and Gordon. “The Gallagher Five” are honored on a plaque at the Admiral Nimitz Naval History Museum in Fredericksburg Texas. All 5 Brothers were serving in the South Pacific when Japan surrendered. Robert was the last remaining sibling of the Gallagher Five. While aboard the USS Straus there was a gun blast that knocked him off the ship, nearly causing deafness to his good ear. His other ear suffered an injury and they had to cut a hole in his skull, leaving a mess for the rest of his life. He served on the USS Fox from December 17, 1940 until February 12, 1943. During which he also briefed the USS Colorado, was assigned temporary Military Police Duty with General Douglas MacArthur, and served on the USS Bush as Chief Machinist Mate. He witnessed two Japanese soldiers shoot themselves after trying to save them and he also aided in their honorable burial at sea. He was in Guam during the occupation, the invasion of Sipan, the invasion of Anguar Island, the Pelelui Island, Leyte Gulf in the Philippines, at Iwo Jima, Kerama Ritto Islands off the coast of Okinawa, and the invasion of Okinawa on Easter morning, 1945. During a fuel stop in Seattle Washington on their way to Alaska, and months of planning and saving up, he met up with his love of his life Marjorie Kurt and they were married May 11, 1942. The skipper gave him and the wedding party the day off. They were married for 68 years until her death in 2010. After the war, with his 9th grade education, he took an exam and was accepted into the University of Wisconsin for Engineering, but because of health issues, Robert and Marjorie moved to Harlingen, Texas. While there, they started a flooring store which grew into a wholesale business. All of their children worked, were involved, and learned the business at a young age. When Robert was 52 years old he sold his business to his oldest son Robert Jr. and went to purchase a whole ranch in the mountains of Colorado. Robert and Marjorie maintained this ranch for 20 years, hosted Family Reunions, and all his family. They decided to move again for health reason and spend 10 years in Arizona. After which they moved to San Antonio, Texas. For the final two years of his life he moved back to Colorado to be among his mountains and memories. Robert Gallagher completed his Memoir “My days of War” and self published his book for his friends and family. Robert John Gallagher is preceded in death by his loving wife Marjorie Kurt, Both his parents and all four brothers. He is survived by all ten of his Children, Patricia Johnson, Barbara Trachte, Robert Gallagher, Jr., Kathryn Polk, Dorothy Moss, Margie Richardson, Mary Feys, Donna Stevens, Daniel Gallagher, and Tom Gallagher. He is also Survived by 24 Grandchildren, 33 Great Granchildren, and 2 great-great Grandchildren. Funeral Mass April 21, 2017, 10 AM St. Lukes Catholic Church 4603 Manitou Drive San Antonio, TX Interment: April 21, 2017, 1PM Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd San Antonio, TX Celebration of his Life the following Day In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Colorado State Veterans Center – Homelake, 3749 Sherman, Ave., Monte Vista, Colorado, 81144. They were kind to Dad during his last year there.

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Robert John Gallagher Sr.

September 27, 1922 - March 26, 2017