Galen Bernard Nielsen was born on November 18, 1927 in Portland, Oregon to Niels Christian Martin Nielsen and Hazel Marie Wylder. He and his older sister Donna were raised in Portland and grew up on Holgate Boulevard. He attended Benson High School and was an all-state and all-city guard on the school’s football team.
In 1945 Galen joined the United States Coast Guard and attended Monterey Peninsula College where he played football at Pacific Grove. On August 4, 1951 he married the love of his life, Louise Verna Cochran after having a long distance relationship from California and Oregon where Louise was attending college. So in-love and determined, Galen would spend his leave hitch-hiking to visit Louise every chance he had. The first 14 years of their married lives they moved 14 times. During those years Louise gave birth to four daughters; Carole Louise, Karin Marie, Gala Jean and Jane Frances. In addition to serving in the Coast Guard, Galen was an active member of the Masons Blue Lodge, spent much of his time building homes for his family and purchasing the property on Lake Pend Oreille in Hope, Idaho.
At the age of 38, Galen chose to retire from the U.S. Coast Guard as a Lieutenant Commander after 20 years of honorable service to spend more time with his family. Both Galen and Louise then returned to college to receive teaching certificates. This was a happy period for their young family. Reflecting on this time, Galen once said, “When Louise and I began college, we felt like kids again! Our entire family was in school at the same time. Our budget was so tight that we didn’t have telephone for the first 6 months while in Monmouth. I think we all had fun and took advantage of all of the free college activities such as sports, free movies, etc.”
Education was a high priority for Galen and he attended many universities throughout the course of his education pursuits; eventually graduating from Oregon College of Education with a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics in 1968 and then received his Masters Degree at Oregon State University in 1969. He then accepted positions as Department Chairman and a Mathematics Instructor at Linn-Benton Community College.
In 1973 life took an adventurous turn when Galen and his family moved to Saudi Arabia where they spent 15 years. Galen worked for Avco International, Telemedia Inc, I.K.O., United Arab Co., and Dynarabia (Dine-Arabia). Upon retirement, they returned to Salem, Oregon to be closer to family and pursue business interests and building projects. In 1995, Galen and Louise moved into their log home in Hope, Idaho while building their house in Clark Fork, Idaho. Galen and Louise spent many happy years traveling the world and experiencing many adventures together. In 2004, Louise developed cancer and passed away unexpectedly. Upon losing his angel wife, Galen sold his properties and moved to Nevada. At 91 years old, Galen suffered a severe stroke which took his life.
Galen’s 20 years of military service defined who he was and set the pattern for the rest of his life. Galen will always be remembered as an extremely educated, talented, and hard working man. He is greatly missed by all.
In 1945 Galen joined the United States Coast Guard and attended Monterey Peninsula College where he played football at Pacific Grove. On August 4, 1951 he married the love of his life, Louise Verna Cochran after having a long distance relationship from California and Oregon where Louise was attending college. So in-love and determined, Galen would spend his leave hitch-hiking to visit Louise every chance he had. The first 14 years of their married lives they moved 14 times. During those years Louise gave birth to four daughters; Carole Louise, Karin Marie, Gala Jean and Jane Frances. In addition to serving in the Coast Guard, Galen was an active member of the Masons Blue Lodge, spent much of his time building homes for his family and purchasing the property on Lake Pend Oreille in Hope, Idaho.
At the age of 38, Galen chose to retire from the U.S. Coast Guard as a Lieutenant Commander after 20 years of honorable service to spend more time with his family. Both Galen and Louise then returned to college to receive teaching certificates. This was a happy period for their young family. Reflecting on this time, Galen once said, “When Louise and I began college, we felt like kids again! Our entire family was in school at the same time. Our budget was so tight that we didn’t have telephone for the first 6 months while in Monmouth. I think we all had fun and took advantage of all of the free college activities such as sports, free movies, etc.”
Education was a high priority for Galen and he attended many universities throughout the course of his education pursuits; eventually graduating from Oregon College of Education with a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics in 1968 and then received his Masters Degree at Oregon State University in 1969. He then accepted positions as Department Chairman and a Mathematics Instructor at Linn-Benton Community College.
In 1973 life took an adventurous turn when Galen and his family moved to Saudi Arabia where they spent 15 years. Galen worked for Avco International, Telemedia Inc, I.K.O., United Arab Co., and Dynarabia (Dine-Arabia). Upon retirement, they returned to Salem, Oregon to be closer to family and pursue business interests and building projects. In 1995, Galen and Louise moved into their log home in Hope, Idaho while building their house in Clark Fork, Idaho. Galen and Louise spent many happy years traveling the world and experiencing many adventures together. In 2004, Louise developed cancer and passed away unexpectedly. Upon losing his angel wife, Galen sold his properties and moved to Nevada. At 91 years old, Galen suffered a severe stroke which took his life.
Galen’s 20 years of military service defined who he was and set the pattern for the rest of his life. Galen will always be remembered as an extremely educated, talented, and hard working man. He is greatly missed by all.
Galen Bernard Nielsen was born on November 18, 1927 in Portland, Oregon to Niels Christian Martin Nielsen and Hazel Marie Wylder. He and his older sister Donna were raised in Portland and grew up on Holgate Boulevard. He attended Benson High School and was an all-state and all-city guard on the school’s football team.
In 1945 Galen joined the United States Coast Guard and attended Monterey Peninsula College where he played football at Pacific Grove. On August 4, 1951 he married the love of his life, Louise Verna Cochran after having a long distance relationship from California and Oregon where Louise was attending college. So in-love and determined, Galen would spend his leave hitch-hiking to visit Louise every chance he had. The first 14 years of their married lives they moved 14 times. During those years Louise gave birth to four daughters; Carole Louise, Karin Marie, Gala Jean and Jane Frances. In addition to serving in the Coast Guard, Galen was an active member of the Masons Blue Lodge, spent much of his time building homes for his family and purchasing the property on Lake Pend Oreille in Hope, Idaho.
At the age of 38, Galen chose to retire from the U.S. Coast Guard as a Lieutenant Commander after 20 years of honorable service to spend more time with his family. Both Galen and Louise then returned to college to receive teaching certificates. This was a happy period for their young family. Reflecting on this time, Galen once said, “When Louise and I began college, we felt like kids again! Our entire family was in school at the same time. Our budget was so tight that we didn’t have telephone for the first 6 months while in Monmouth. I think we all had fun and took advantage of all of the free college activities such as sports, free movies, etc.”
Education was a high priority for Galen and he attended many universities throughout the course of his education pursuits; eventually graduating from Oregon College of Education with a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics in 1968 and then received his Masters Degree at Oregon State University in 1969. He then accepted positions as Department Chairman and a Mathematics Instructor at Linn-Benton Community College.
In 1973 life took an adventurous turn when Galen and his family moved to Saudi Arabia where they spent 15 years. Galen worked for Avco International, Telemedia Inc, I.K.O., United Arab Co., and Dynarabia (Dine-Arabia). Upon retirement, they returned to Salem, Oregon to be closer to family and pursue business interests and building projects. In 1995, Galen and Louise moved into their log home in Hope, Idaho while building their house in Clark Fork, Idaho. Galen and Louise spent many happy years traveling the world and experiencing many adventures together. In 2004, Louise developed cancer and passed away unexpectedly. Upon losing his angel wife, Galen sold his properties and moved to Nevada. At 91 years old, Galen suffered a severe stroke which took his life.
Galen’s 20 years of military service defined who he was and set the pattern for the rest of his life. Galen will always be remembered as an extremely educated, talented, and hard working man. He is greatly missed by all.
In 1945 Galen joined the United States Coast Guard and attended Monterey Peninsula College where he played football at Pacific Grove. On August 4, 1951 he married the love of his life, Louise Verna Cochran after having a long distance relationship from California and Oregon where Louise was attending college. So in-love and determined, Galen would spend his leave hitch-hiking to visit Louise every chance he had. The first 14 years of their married lives they moved 14 times. During those years Louise gave birth to four daughters; Carole Louise, Karin Marie, Gala Jean and Jane Frances. In addition to serving in the Coast Guard, Galen was an active member of the Masons Blue Lodge, spent much of his time building homes for his family and purchasing the property on Lake Pend Oreille in Hope, Idaho.
At the age of 38, Galen chose to retire from the U.S. Coast Guard as a Lieutenant Commander after 20 years of honorable service to spend more time with his family. Both Galen and Louise then returned to college to receive teaching certificates. This was a happy period for their young family. Reflecting on this time, Galen once said, “When Louise and I began college, we felt like kids again! Our entire family was in school at the same time. Our budget was so tight that we didn’t have telephone for the first 6 months while in Monmouth. I think we all had fun and took advantage of all of the free college activities such as sports, free movies, etc.”
Education was a high priority for Galen and he attended many universities throughout the course of his education pursuits; eventually graduating from Oregon College of Education with a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics in 1968 and then received his Masters Degree at Oregon State University in 1969. He then accepted positions as Department Chairman and a Mathematics Instructor at Linn-Benton Community College.
In 1973 life took an adventurous turn when Galen and his family moved to Saudi Arabia where they spent 15 years. Galen worked for Avco International, Telemedia Inc, I.K.O., United Arab Co., and Dynarabia (Dine-Arabia). Upon retirement, they returned to Salem, Oregon to be closer to family and pursue business interests and building projects. In 1995, Galen and Louise moved into their log home in Hope, Idaho while building their house in Clark Fork, Idaho. Galen and Louise spent many happy years traveling the world and experiencing many adventures together. In 2004, Louise developed cancer and passed away unexpectedly. Upon losing his angel wife, Galen sold his properties and moved to Nevada. At 91 years old, Galen suffered a severe stroke which took his life.
Galen’s 20 years of military service defined who he was and set the pattern for the rest of his life. Galen will always be remembered as an extremely educated, talented, and hard working man. He is greatly missed by all.
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