Vail Daily obituary: Robert M. Galvin, 1964-2016
Robert M. Galvin, 51, died peacefully on Wednesday at home in Mountain Star, surrounded by family and friends after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He left this world as he had lived it, on his own terms and in the company of those he loved.
Born May 20, 1964, in Appleton, Wisconsin, Rob spent the early part of his life following his family through Wisconsin, Michigan, Switzerland, Argentina, New Jersey, California and Connecticut, finally ending up at Dartmouth College and graduating in 1986. Rob spent his professional career as an architect. Having graduated with a master’s from the University of Washington in 1989, he spent his career working with small firms, larger firms and on his own. At the time of his death, he was employed by H+L Architecture in Denver. Rob and H+L most recently completed the design and construction of the new St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver.
He is remembered by his colleagues as “a significant asset” and a “trusted advisor to all.”
Rob is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 26 years, Traci (Baranov) Galvin; his parents John and Linda (Baird) Galvin, of Avon; his brother Greg and his wife, Betsy (Peterson), and their children Thomas, Kristen and Andrew, of Ithaca, New York; his aunt and uncle Karen (Heil) and Steve Baird, of Cordillera; his aunt Ann Galvin, of Zionsville, Indiana; and his friend from childhood John “Fubber” Geary, of Old Lyme, Connecticut.
Rob will be remembered for his gentle spirit, his dogs Jack and Jill, photography, cooking, adventure expeditions in Africa, Patagonia and Nepal, his love of the Colorado mountains and his willingness to help anyone at any time.
Support Local Journalism
An ecumenical celebration of Rob’s life will be held Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. at the Beaver Creek Chapel, with a reception to follow at the Park Hyatt in Beaver Creek until 4 p.m. Graveside services will be private at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Golden Retriever Rescue of Denver, pancreatic cancer research or a charity of your choosing.
