Robert Gallagher

Robert (Bob) John Gallagher, 58, from Meridian, Idaho, passed away in peace at home with his family surrounding him on February 18, 2018, from esophageal cancer.

Bob grew up in Saranac Lake, NY and was the son of Thomasina and the late Bill Gallagher.

Since he was a little boy, Bob loved sports and was a terrific athlete. He made life long friends with his neighborhood sports mates and later played on varsity sports teams: baseball, football and, best of all, his much loved hockey for Saranac Lake High School. Bob went on to win a hockey scholarship to the University of New York at Brockport where he was a fierce defenseman. During and since graduating from college with a B.A. in Business, Bob worked for his older brother Chip Gallagher, in the construction business.

For the past twenty years Bob was a project manager and superintendent for Visser Building, a Boise, Idaho based company co-owned by his brother Chip and Brian Visser. Bob’s clients loved him and loved the homes he built for them. They are architectural gems.

It was in Boise, where Bobby met the love of his life, Anita. Bob and Anita married in 1999. Together they made their home in Meridan, Idaho.

Bob had one beloved daughter, Tabitha, from a previous marriage.

Bob was a ‘shirt off his back kind of guy.’ Everyone who knew Bob knew of his generosity, his tireless work ethic, his rock solid integrity, his ready smile and his wonderful sense of humor. He was totally down to earth. One of his client’s described Bob as ‘a classic, he broke the mold, he was irreverent in the greatest sense of the term.’ Others described Bob as one of the kindest men they knew. His sisters called him their big teddy bear.

Most of all, Bob was a family man. He loved spending time with his family enjoying the outdoors and assuming the role of grill master for picnics and parties. Bob was a faithful teacher, coach and cheerleader for his daughter and nieces. He passed on his love for skating, golfing, fishing, boating, skiing, camping, you name it.

Bob was a faithful Boise State fan and attended many of their games with family and friends. If you go to a game, and listen very carefully, you may still hear Bob’s booming voice cheering on his home team. We cannot see Bobby, but we know he will always be with us.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife Anita Gallagher, mother Thomasina Gallagher, sister Gail (Jerry Cole) Gallagher, brother William Chip (Carol) Gallagher, sister Felista (Skip Murray) Gallagher, brother Kevin Gallagher, sister Ann Gallagher, and sister Beth Gallagher, daughter Tabitha Gallagher, step-daughter Tami Vandeman, grandchildren Ashley Tooke-Robinson, and Sol Vandeman and many nieces and nephews, including MacKenzie Gallagher Wood, Katharine Gallagher Downey, Jacquelyn and Melina Gallagher. Bob was preceded in death by his father William Francis Gallagher IV.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday August 18th, at 11 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake with Rev. Patrick Ratigan Officiating followed by a burial at Harrieststown Cemetery. Afterwards there will be a reception Saranac Village at Will Rogers in Saranac Lake, NY

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Bernard’s Church capital campaign or the Ecumenical Council of Saranac Lake to support the Samaritan House or the Tri-Lakes Humane Society.