A Life of Faith, Service, and Community: Celebrating Brother Ronald Gallagher, FSC

Update: All are welcome to come together as we remember and celebrate Brother Ron’s enduring impact on our community. Memorial services will be held at Saint Mary's College on Friday, January 17, with a viewing from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., Mass of Resurrection at 10:30 a.m., and a reception to follow in the Soda Center, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Mont La Salle in Napa at 2:30 p.m.    

It is with heavy hearts that we share with you the news that Brother Ronald Joseph Gallagher, FSC, affectionately known as Brother Ron, passed away in the early hours of January 4 while in hospice care in the Holy Family Community at Mont La Salle in Napa. He died peacefully at the age of 78.

Brother Ron’s commitment to Lasallian education, service, community, and faith profoundly impacted countless Saint Mary’s students, faculty, staff, and others. Perhaps best known by many of us as the 28th President of Saint Mary’s who served in that capacity from 2005–2013, he was a beloved and monumental figure at our institution. 

Brother Ron accomplished much during his seven-year tenure as President. He cited the shepherding of the construction of the Kalmanovitz School of Education building, the renovations of Oliver Hall, and the inception of the $30 million Athletics and Recreation Corridor—which includes the building of the Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center—as three of his many achievements during that period. In May 2023, Saint Mary’s newly renovated baseball facility was officially christened Brother Ronald Gallagher Stadium in recognition of his service, legacy, and affinity for baseball and athletics.

A Lasallian educational and professional journey guided by faith 

Brother Ron’s contributions and legacy extend far beyond his SMC presidency.

Born April 24, 1946, in Oakland, California, Brother Ron grew up in Santa Cruz and Central California before attending the Christian Brothers Juniorate for high school at Mont La Salle in Napa. He entered the Novitiate in 1964, taking his final vows in 1972. His life experiences modeled his belief in listening for and trusting in God’s providence. 

He earned a BA in English from Saint Mary’s in 1969 and an MA in Comparative Literature from California State University, San Francisco in 1976. He began teaching immediately after completing his undergraduate degree, serving at Saint Mary’s College High School in Berkeley and Justin-Siena in Napa. He returned to Saint Mary’s College in the early 1980s as a professor of English and Director of Camp La Salle at Huntington Lake. 

He also served as a Residence Hall Director, living among students for many years, and as Assistant to then-President Brother Mel Anderson. His never-ending commitment to education led him to the University of Washington in Seattle, where he earned a PhD in Comparative Literature in 1990 with a focus on Irish literature.

Asked by the Superior General to take on leadership roles internationally, Brother Ron served as Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University in Palestine from 1993–1997. He then served as Secretary General of the global Lasallian Institute from 1997–2001. 

Brother Ron returned to Saint Mary’s as a Professor of English in 2001 before assuming his role as President in 2005. In 2013, after two terms as President at Saint Mary’s, he served as Interim President of Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco. He returned to Saint Mary’s as President Emeritus in 2018, enjoying retirement with his Christian Brothers community and supporting institutional initiatives, especially mission and formation activities. 

A life of abundant impact

Brother Ron’s life was rich with family, friends, colleagues, and former students. He was known for his warm sense of humor, an inimitable sense of fairness, and an authentic ability to see the goodness in all he encountered. His hobbies included a love for good food, good stories, and travel, and his places of work were varied and diverse—from high schools to collegiate settings and from Bethlehem to the Moraga Valley. 

Brother Ron also loved to hike and was a regular attendee at Collegiate Seminar retreats at the Russian River and Huntington Lake, and at the Rummery formation retreats for faculty and staff throughout Northern California and in Santa Fe. He also loved to share his beloved knowledge of Irish culture and literature, and happily created a January Term trip to Ireland that became one of the most sought-after courses on campus. 

One of his best traits was his ability to interact with individuals from all walks of life who did not always hold his point of view. Always present with a charming Irish twinkle and quip, conversations with Brother Ron could range from local sports to the West Bank of Israel to Irish literature—often with a bit of humor injected. For example, he liked to joke that the “G” in the Saint Mary’s logo also stood for “Gallagher.” 

Of all his titles—including Brother, Professor, President, Vice Chancellor, Resident Director, Coach, and Dean—the one he enjoyed most was Teacher. His achievements shaped not only his own life but also the lives of generations of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and De La Salle Christian Brothers around the world, many of whom became lifelong friends.

Brother Ron’s leadership approach was marked by his belief in the trifold mission of Saint Mary’s, which he regularly referenced, and an unwavering sense of optimism grounded in faith. A genuinely happy person, Brother Ron truly enjoyed getting to know students and colleagues from all backgrounds and supporting each of them in their journey. 

Perhaps one of the most telling insights into Brother Ron’s faith and life is found in the words of one of his favorite Irish poems, The Deer’s Cry, also known as Saint Patrick’s Breastplate:

I arise today
Through the strength of Heaven
Light of sun
Radiance of moon
Splendor of fire
Speed of lightning
Swiftness of wind
Depth of the sea
Stability of earth
Firmness of rock
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me
God’s eye to look before me
God’s wisdom to guide me
God’s way to lie before me
God’s shield to protect me
From all who shall wish me ill
Afar and anear
Alone and in a multitude
Against every cruel
Merciless power
That may oppose my body and soul

— excerpt from Deer’s Cry, Saint Patrick’s Breastplate

Funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced when they become available. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethlehem University or Saint Mary’s College in his memory. Donations may also be directed to the Brother Ronald Gallagher Endowed Scholarship Fund, which helps students in need of financial assistance.

Let us remember Brother Ron as the true Gael he will always remain in our hearts, a man of conviction, dedication, and joy. May he rest in peace.

Sincerely,

Roger J. Thompson, EdD, President

Brother Christopher Brady, FSC, Director of Saint Mary's Community of the Christian Brothers

Throughout the years: Brother Ronald J. Gallagher, FSC