Obituaries
Galen E. Graham, 96
April 13, 2020
Galen E Graham, 96, died peacefully on April 13, 2020. He was a resident of Brethren Village in Lititz.
Galen was the son of Rev. John and Kathryn Graham. His wife, Burnetta, died in 2015.
He was a graduate of Elizabethtown College. After graduating he served in the Army during WWII as a hospital medical technician in England. After the war he finished his Army career in Washington State where he was part of a team that developed one of the first flu vaccines. After his discharge from the Army he entered Purdue University where he received a PH.D. in chemistry. His entire professional career was with Armstrong Cork Co., later Armstrong World Industries.
He, together with his wife, were avid gardeners and travelers. They grew fruits and vegetables every year of their married life. Excess fruit led to a retirement hobby of home winemaking. They travelled the United States and the world together.
Galen was an accomplished contract bridge player. He was awarded Life Master status in 1973 and continued to play, teach and administer games during the rest of his life.
He is survived by his brother John (Louise) Graham of Landisville. He is also survived by his two children, Galen Graham Jr (Donna) of Upper Gwynedd, Pennsylvania and Nancy Graham of Harrisburg. He has two grandchildren, Michael Graham (Sarina Doyle) of Orlando, Florida and Jessica Graham Gruber (Jared Gruber) of Bala Cynwyd, and three great grandchildren.
Galen was a long time active member of the Lancaster Church of the Brethren.
If desired, memorial gifts may be made in Galen’s name to the Good Samaritan Fund at Brethren Village, Development Department, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lititz PA 17543.
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Condolences to the Family
May 29, 2020
Our sympathy to the family of Galen Graham. Mrs. Lynne (Roudabush) Shively enjoyed a connection with Galen because of family ties when Galens father was a pastor at the Berkey Church of the Brethren in the Johnstown PA area. Lynne’s grandfather, Calvin Weaver, was a good friend of the Graham family and Galen always had a story to tell of his childhood with the Weaver family.
We have been and will continue to miss him!
April 20, 2020
I have many fond memories of Galen, whose influence on my life was substantial. He was one of the best adult Sunday School teachers, and I always learned so much from him about church history. My wife and I visited him for a church capital campaign, and his generosity was evident. Then he visited my wife to convince her to accept a call to be Moderator of the congregation, which eventually led to her call to ministry. Galen and I found ourselves both joining the Board of the Ephrata Cloister Associates at the same time, and I will always remember the lengthy chats while driving there together. His wisdom was most beneficial to me, whether it be in business or family matters. And, of course, I picked up a few bridge tips from him! It was an honor to be his physician, and I know Nancy, Galen, and the rest of the family will miss him even more than I do.
David E. Fuchs, M.D.
