Point Reyes Light - September 26, 2002
Prominent rancher Bob Gallagher dies
By Larken Bradley
Lifelong Point Reyes Station dairy rancher, Robert "Bob" Gallagher, a member of one of West Marin’s most prominent Irish immigrant families – and the identical twin of retired Point Reyes Station postmaster George Gallagher – died Tuesday at Kaiser Hospital in San Rafael of complications from Parkinson’s Disease. He was 89. Please see photos on page 30
A grandson of Edward and Catherine Gallagher who left County Cork, Ireland, to land on Ellis Island and travel by covered wagon from Connecticut to their new California home, Mr. Gallagher was born on one of the three ranches his grandparents owned in West Marin.
Bob and his twin
His parents, William and Mary Gallagher, operated a cigar shop in San Francisco’s Mission District before moving to the 330-acre ranch northeast of Point Reyes Station where Bob and his twin brother George were born in a white two-story Victorian farmhouse. When he died in 1944, William Gallagher left the ranch to the twins.
Except for a period during World War II during which he worked in the Richmond shipyards, and for a time in San Francisco, Mr. Gallagher lived his entire life on the North Bend Ranch, so named because the narrow gauge railway that crossed the property had to go north around a bend there.
Gallagher was always grateful for the privilege of living in West Marin. "He called it ‘Paradise,’" his daughter Colleen Rogers told The Light this week.
"We had a really wonderful life here . . . a very full, fun life," added his sister, Katherine Federspiel.
Met in the hospital
As a young adult Mr. Gallagher became ill and was admitted to the old Cottage Hospital in San Rafael, where he met his future wife, Dorothy McMenamin, a nurse who ministered to him.
After his release from the hospital, the two began a correspondence and started dating on Saturday nights at the famous Rose Bowl outdoor dances in Larkspur. The couple married on Oct. 18, 1947.
Over the years when asked how she met her husband, Mrs. Gallagher was fond of replying: "Well, I met him in bed," laughed his sister.
Robert Gallagher was born 20 minutes ahead of George on July 2, 1913. "When you’re a twin, you’re really close to one another," George Gallagher remarked on Tuesday as he reflected on their nine decades, side by side.
"Twins have their own lingo," added Gallagher, reporting that at times others couldn’t understand their special communications with one another.
"When George and Bob were younger, I would get them mixed up," admitted rancher and neighbor Harold Genazzi.
An even-tempered, low-key man who seldom got angry, Mr. Gallagher "was an incredibly hard-working person," noted his daughter. Until his retirement in 1985, he managed a herd of 250 dairy cows. After retirement he continued to raise a small number of calves for other ranchers.
A graduate of Tomales High School, Mr. Gallagher was elected to serve as a trustee on the Shoreline Unified School District board for 20 years.
Stories of adventure
Over the years Mr. Gallagher and his twin told many stories of their adventures in West Marin to Light readers. The boys rode a horse and buggy to Blacks Elementary School in Point Reyes Station, located on the site of today’s firehouse.
On occasion they hopped the narrow gauge train, which passed through the family ranch for a 90-minute journey to San Francisco, complete with a ferry ride. On one trip they played cards with famous child actor Jacky Coogan who often visited his grandfather in West Marin.
In 1935 the twins, their father, and their older brother Jack, who was one of the first West Marin boys killed while serving in the military during World War II, built a new bridge on their property with materials purchased from the narrow gauge railroad company, to replace a precarious home-made bridge, prone to flooding.
In 1954 Mr. Gallagher shot and killed the only mountain lion he ever spotted when it crossed his path in the wee hours on the Point Reyes-Petaluma Road. The cougar was put in the freezer at the old Palace Market and shown off in town a week later in the Western Weekend parade. Mr. Gallagher was awarded a $50 bounty and became a local hero.
The big cat is reportedly stuffed and still on display at the Marin Rod & Gun Club in San Rafael, said his daughter.
Long ago Mr. Gallagher was involved in an activity that would now be deemed politically incorrect, said his daughter. "He cut redwood trees and used them for Christmas trees," she confessed.
Avid hunter and traveler
An avid hunter but tied to responsibility at home, once a year his twin managed to tear him away from the ranch for a week to hunt in Montana, Idaho or Nevada with a group of six men.
In his retirement years, he and his wife enjoyed traveling to Alaska, Hawaii and on the St. Lawrence River.
Clear-minded and astute to the day of his death, Mr. Gallagher kept track of the Giants and was thrilled that the 49ers pulled off a win last Sunday. "His mind was a steel trap," said his daughter.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Marin Farm Bureau.
Mr. Gallagher is survived by his wife, Dorothy Gallagher of Point Reyes Station; daughters Colleen Rogers of Tiburon; and Maureen E. Gallagher of Sonoma; sons, Daniel A. Gallagher of Cotati; and Kirby J. Gallagher of Point Reyes Station; brother, George M. Gallagher of Point Reyes Station; sisters, Eileen Gollon of Cloverdale; and Katherine Federspiel of Berkeley; sister-in-law, Nadine Gallagher of Oregon; and five grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his son, Brian R. Gallagher; and his brothers, Jack Gallagher; William "Billy" Gallagher; and William Leonard Gallagher, Jr.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at Parent-Sorenson Mortuary & Crematory, Magnolia Avenue and Keokuck St., Petaluma.
Visitation will resume at 5 p.m., Sept. 26 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Olema, followed by a vigil service at 7 p.m.
A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Burial will be in Olema Cemetery.
The family suggests that any memorial contributions be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, P.O. Box 70, Olema 94950; or to the Parkinson’s Institute, 1170 Morse Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94089.
Point Reyes Light Cover | News | Coastal Traveler