Roger Galloway

Roger Galloway, 70, of Asheboro, died November 3, 2016, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House in Winston-Salem, N.C.

He was born in Albemarle, grew up in Stanly and Davidson counties, and graduated from North Stanly High School. As a young adult, he worked in various places in North Carolina and Florida doing development work with air pollution equipment, mapping power lines across the state, working with plastics and coatings, and helping to develop copy machine and plating technologies. In his early thirties, he returned to school for a B.S. in horticulture from NC State University. He later earned a Master’s degree in plant and soil science from NCA&T State University.

For 32 years, he worked for the NC Cooperative Extension Service in multiple counties teaching pesticide use and safety practices. He assisted growers with insect problems, plant diseases, plant nutrition, and soil problems. He considered his professional life rewarding because of his love of the natural sciences, his abundant curiosity, and his great enjoyment of assisting people. Until recently, he was still teaching occasionally, and farmers were still calling him for advice on crop problems and projects. An avid reader, he continued to learn about agriculture and the natural sciences. He was one of the authors of a 2007 research article in Weed Technology entitled “Tree Growth, Fruit Size and Yield Response of Mature Peach to Weed-Free Intervals.” This very specific title reflects some of his horticultural interests as well as his commitment to precision. He also wrote internet posts for the NC Cooperative Extension Service of Montgomery County such as “The Perfect Storm for Tomatoes” and “Gardening Begins in February,” but it was in person that he truly excelled at the application of his broad knowledge to assist farmers and growers in their fields, orchards, and gardens. His style was one of collaboration and friendly conversation.

An articulate man, he could be plain-spoken but was always ready to back up every word with technical language and expertise. He was an expert on growing things-plants, animals, and friendships. His empathy, nurturance, problem solving, and well-informed advice smoothed the way for all who knew him. He relished telling a good country story, especially one that involved hunting or the natural foibles of human beings, particularly his own or those of his relatives. His authenticity and his laughter were equally unforgettable.

After losing his wife of 34 years in 2008, he later found a rewarding, loving relationship with Betsy Lindsey.

Roger lived in Randolph County for the last 26 years, near the edge of the Uwharrie Mountains where he had four acres on top of a hill on which he maintained a large fruit and vegetable garden. He constantly shared the bounty of his garden with friends, neighbors, and relatives. He and Betsy threw an annual “Grilling on the Hill” party in July for friends, complete with vegetables from his garden and music. In recent years, a summer project he and a group of friends in his community took on was to can a huge amount of tomato sauce and share it with neighbors and friends. One of the last things he did before entering the hospital in October was to plant fall vegetables and herbs. Another important part of his life was breeding working dogs including Jack Russell Terriers, German Hunting Terriers, and others. He no longer hunted with the dogs but enjoyed his daily interactions with them, caring for them, and watching them run and play.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Millarve Galloway; his father, Howard Taft Galloway; and his mother, Leona Morris Galloway.

Surviving are his partner, Dr. Betsy Lindsey of Greensboro and her daughter, Phoenix Lindsey-Hall of Brooklyn, N.Y.; sisters and their spouses, Dr.’s Melissa Kaplan-Estrin and Teviah Estrin of Huntington Woods, MI; Angela and Kay Walker of Idaho Falls, ID; brother and spouse, Niles Galloway and June Clark of Concord; nephews, Dr. Daniel Kaplan, Karsten Walker, Kenton Walker, Kyle Walker and Evan Galloway; nieces, Kara Lyon, Kindra Hughes, Kimber Dameron, and Kayla Hunter; 33 great nieces and nephews; and his life-long friend, Dr. Andy Cook of Houston, TX.

A memorial service will be held at 3 pm on Saturday, November 19, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro, 5603 Hilltop Rd, Jamestown, NC. Memorial donations may be made to the North Carolina Food Bank, the Greensboro Urban Ministry, or the American Heart Association.