Obituary of Robert J. Gallinger

Robert "Bob" "Turk" Gallinger, 89, formerly of Peru, NY passed away on Wednesday, April 26 at the Sterling Village Nursing Home in Sterling, Massachusetts with family by his side. He was born in Niagara Falls, NY on January 12, 1934 and spent his childhood in Niagara Falls, NY and then Wilmington, Delaware where he graduated in 1952 from Pierre S. Dupont High School. He then attended Cornell University from 1952-1957 where he graduated with a degree in Agricultural Engineering and met the love of his life, Judith Combs. Bob and Judy were married on the Cornell campus in Ithaca, NY in June 1957. When he graduated, he went on to flight school in California as part of his commitment to the USAF through the ROTC program. His active military service brought his family to many places: California, Puerto Rico, Maine and Alabama. He served one year of active duty in Vietnam flying KC-135 refueling planes and ultimately arrived at Plattsburgh Air Force Base in New York in 1973, where he settled with his family in the town of Peru. Bob retired from the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel. For many years he ran Willowbrook Nursery in Peru. He loved the Peru Community Church, the Lions Club, the Habitat for Humanity Jamaica missions, running marathons, gardening and landscaping and was devoted to his wife, Judith, during their 62 married years. Later in life, Bob developed dementia and could no longer live on his own after Judy died. He spent his last years being cared for by loving staff at Sunrise of Leominster, MA and the Sterling Village Nursing Home in Sterling, MA. Left to cherish his memory are his children David of Idaho Falls, ID, Jon "Tim" of Arlington, VA and Kathleen Gallinger of Sterling, MA; sister-in-law Jean Maree Gallinger of Pottsboro, TX; three grandchildren, Angela Secchi of Colorado and Olivia and Victor Maldonado of Sterling, MA. In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by his brother, Jay Scott Gallinger of Pottsboro, TX. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 11 am in the Plattsburgh Memorial Chapel, 100 US Oval, Plattsburgh, NY, 12903. In lieu of flowers, you may honor his memory by making a donation to Champlain Valley Habitat for Humanity at https://www.champlainvalleyhabitat.org/ Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru, 643-9055.