Honoring a Great Man

Galen Sandwisch
March 29, 1938 – March 8, 2008

A special soul, Galen Sandwisch (aka Boofin, Papa, Big G, Sangy) passed peacefully into God’s presence Saturday, March 8th at 6:15 pm. Galen had been battling with Inclusion Body Myositis frontotemporal dementia, a rare degenerative muscle disease, for nearly 10 years. Galen was born in Toledo , Ohio on March 29, 1938 to Joe and Dorothy (Nuhfer) Sandwisch. He spent his childhood in Woodville , Ohio – hunting, fishing, swimming, and nurturing his love for the great outdoors. As he grew older, he worked with his father on the family business, building many of the homes in Woodville. Galen then attended and graduated from the Ohio State University with honors in 1961, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Galen was quickly recruited in General Electric’s elite ABC training program, which took him to Vermont , New York , and finally Santa Barbara in 1963. Galen fell in love with Santa Barbara ’s unique blend of mountains and coastline, and chose to spend the rest of his life admiring its natural beauty. Galen also met the love of his life in Santa Barbara , where he applied his charm and good looks to sweep Sharon Heldt off of her feet, marrying her in 1966.

Galen then advanced his engineering knowledge with a masters degree in electrical engineering from the University of California at Santa Barbara . He continued to work for General Electric, HDR, and later General Motors, and IST, specializing in developing technologies used for national defense.

Galen was the proud father of his 2 children; Steven Jay was born in 1970, and Tanya Lea in 1974. Galen was a very patient and loving father – he took great joy in teaching his children and their friends to appreciate the wonders of nature through many camping, boating, water skiing, and snow-skiing adventures.

Throughout his life, Galen was passionate about the outdoors. His love of hunting and fishing was accompanied by tremendous respect for animals and nature. Galen also enjoyed boating, riding and racing motorcycles, SCUBA diving, skindiving, and hiking. He loved to watch the stars and to imagine what wonders they held. Galen also loved to work with his hands and was a craftsman, an artist, and a photo/videogropher. Galen spent his life exploring the splendor of the wilderness, and uncovering the challenges it has to offer.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude for all the wonderful support from Galen’s caregivers, doctors, Hospice, and the many friends who honor his memory.

He will be dearly missed by the family he leaves behind – how we wish he could have been able to teach his beloved grandchildren; Katie and Andrew Sandwisch, and Megan and Zoe Anderson, how to appreciate the outdoors, its beauty and all of its seasons.

The family is collecting donations to purchase an enhancement in one of Santa Barbara ’s city parks. Memories and wishes can be sent to the family at Sharon@megzo.com.

(Posted from my father's obituary)