Center Mourns the Loss of Major Supporter … and Dear Friend
The passing last week of younger brother, Warren, following the 2022 passing of big brother, Robert, is a highly sad and personal event for me, as I had become close to both of these amazing men. Since our Center’s founding in 2011 they have generously have supported me, our Center, and our movement – not to mention our entire state – in so many ways. When I first met them, they were in their mid and early 80s. Each was 95 years old when they passed.
Bob, Warren and their lovely wives (both of whom we lost many years ago) become dear friends of me and my wife. Over the years, they have graciously invited us to join them at their tables at dozens of charitable dinners, where they were honored as major donors to their varied causes: they have generously supported organizations such the RI Aviation Hall of Fame, the Black Ships Japanese-American Society and its annual gala, and the Boys & Girls Club of Warwick … in addition to our RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity.
Bob, the ever jokester, who could create a limerick on the spot, often would be up and dancing – with my wife – even before I had the chance to ask her.
These two men, through their ever-expanding business success, generous philanthropic works, and support of liberty are truly pillars in our great Rhode Island society.
At our then annual Freedom Luncheon in 2017, our Center awarded Bob and Warren Galkin with our very first “Middendorf Pillar of Freedom Award” for their amazing contributions to our society.
Bob Galkin is the brother wearing glasses
More about Warren (from the Providence Journal obituary page). By anyone’s standards, Warren Galkin was a stand-out human being. He’s leaves a legacy of inspiring many.
Born two days prior to Independence Day in 1929 to the entrepreneurial, charismatic and loving family of Arthur & Shirley Galkin and their three-year-old son, Bob. Arthur had carved out his own path at the age of 21, quitting his job as an assistant manager of a shoe store, investing his savings in a horse and wagon and selling waste-paper. Arthur went on to found Natco Products, still in business today, four generations later and still family owned. It’s from this hardworking family, Warren learned the value of hard work and a strong moral code.
He graduated from Hope High School and went on to Brown University earning an ScB in Physics, then on to Wharton to earn his Masters. After graduation, Warren enlisted in the Navy as an engineering officer, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. From there, he joined his father’s company. He served many roles in the company, including head of the industrial relations department, negotiating and successfully executing union contracts. As a result of his skills, Natco never had a strike or grievance that went to arbitration.
When Arthur retired, Warren and Bob ran Natco. Bob managed the business end. Warren served in many roles, including putting his physics degree to work designing labor-saving machines for the factory, machines that would go on to create the iconic Pam Am flight bags. He and Bob sat with desks facing each other for more than 70 years. Their relationship was the perfect balance, Bob being the outgoing “mover and shaker” and Warren balancing out the team with his quiet intelligence and modest demeanor.
He was married to Joyce Galkin, the love of his life, and traveled extensively with her, preferring to explore world by train and by walking. In his spare time, Warren found joy in playing the organ and built many throughout the years. He loved skiing, rollerblading, bike riding and wind surfing. In his late 80’s, the family watched in awe as he skied the Glaciers in Austria, as well as windsurfed in Newport Harbor.
Warren had a huge impact on the Boys and Girls Club of Warwick, setting up their first endowment fund and spearheading the construction and remodeling of their club buildings. He is the first inductee into their Hall of Fame. In the field of education, Warren has set up many endowments and scholarships that inspire students to achieve. One example is at Brown University where he established the Galkin Physics Fellowship which funds research by their top physics graduate students, as well as funding an undergraduate stipend for research in the Brain Science Department.
In 2017, Warren was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame and received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the New England Institute of Technology. He was on the board of the Japan-American Society of Rhode Island. He also earned the 2017 Middendorf Pillar of Freedom Award from The Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity.
He has served as an inspiration to so many which include his three nieces who adored him. Ellen Kenner, the oldest, will tell you that Warren taught her to take care of her body and her mind. This inspiring advice set her on a path earn a PhD in Psychology. Jane Litner loves to recall how Warren helped her excel in Math, inspiring her to become a math teacher. Each time they were together, Jane would say, “IDOW” (I depend on Warren) and he would return “IDOJ” (I depend on Jane). His youngest niece, Debby Krim, was driven to mechanical and artistic endeavors which, she will tell you, comes directly from Warren’s influence. In the 1960’s, Uncle Warren was ahead of his time gifting her “boy toys” which all had “some assembly required.” Those toys, along with his supportive words, gave her the confidence to embrace mechanical challenges.
He is survived by his stepdaughter, Cathy Gennert and her husband John King, their son Ben King and his wife Stacey King and their daughters Zara and Layla, and son Josh King
So many friends, neighbors, family members and employees were profoundly impacted by Warren’s generosity of ideas, his thoughtful support, and his humility. He was easy to love, and so many of us loved him.
Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick. PO Box 8938, Warwick RI 02888.
