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Lance Galvin Obituary
Lance Galvin, 76, passed away on March 21, 2024. He was born January 30, 1948, in Rochester, New York.
Lance graduated from Penfield High School in 1966 and continued his education at North Carolina State University, where he graduated in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in engineering operations. After several years of work as an engineer in Asheville, NC and at the University of GA, he enrolled at the Georgia Institute of Technology where he finished a master's degree in architecture with honors in 1981.
He spent his architectural career in Atlanta working for Nix, Mann and Associates that was eventually merged with Perkins and Will, a multi-national firm, from which he retired in 2022.
Lance enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1971 and served his active duty at Ft. Jackson in Columbia, SC. He was awarded the Sharpshooter medal and promoted to Drill Sargent, a position he enjoyed.
Lance was loved for his steady, reliable, and generous nature, with a taste for quiet perfection. He was gifted in the graphic arts and music and was a fine athlete. He played the classical guitar and enjoyed many hobbies including drawing, hunting (rifle and bow), woodcarving, skiing, muzzleloading, and competitive target shooting with his brother Tom. He especially enjoyed building replicas of antique rifles.
He is survived by his daughter, Beth and son-in-law, Matt Shannonhouse; his grandson, Patrick; by his siblings, John "Thomas" Galvin, Jr., Elizabeth Olsen and Anita Adams; and by many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and many dear friends.
We loved Lance enormously and will miss him dearly. A graveside service will be held in Pittsford, NY at the family plot.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lance Galvin
Nicole Sheffield
June 4, 2024
I was devastated to hear the news of Lance´s passing. A beautiful and well said description of his many talents and a testament to his character. I worked with Lance from the beginning of my career and was one of the lucky ones that got to know him on a more personal level. His attention to detail and perfectionist nature made him a great teacher in his field of professional expertise (in addition to his many other talents). What a great, generous, talented man. He will always hold a special place in my heart. I´m so terribly sorry for the loss of such a wonderful man. My best to his whole family.
Marty
April 24, 2024
In loving memory of a wonderful person. I will love you and miss you always.
Mike Hardersen
April 19, 2024
A great warrior has passed through the earth.
-Highlanders
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Thomas Quigley
April 19, 2024
So very sorry to hear and my thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. Our paths crossed but for a handful of years in the era of Nix Mann. He was a technical master and the one who taught me how to write specs. It is much too soon.
Becky Higginbotham
April 18, 2024
Such sad news. Lance was the one who always knew the answer to my many questions. Patient, kind, and generous...
My favorite memory is he was the Nix, Mann & Assoc keeper of the replacement points for the Rapidograph pens we architects used back in the day. You had to prove to him that you REALLY needed a new point. He usually just said, "Go clean it again!"
We will miss you, Lance. We are sending prayers to the family.
Sara Benson
April 18, 2024
My condolences to Lance's family. Lance was a fellow wolfpack graduate and coworker of mine at Perkins+Will.
Phil Harrison
April 17, 2024
We miss you Lance. You contributed so much to Nix Mann and Perkins&Will over the decades, teaching so many of us the fundamentals of technical architecture. Thank you for everything.
Katie Pedersen
April 17, 2024
Well that's just not fair. It's too soon to lose a guy like Lance. He and I worked together for 17 years. He was one of my favorite colleagues. When I got stuck on a technical detail, I could always count on Lance to point me in the right direction with kindness and patience.
I appreciated Lance's warm smile and quick wit. His daughter was clearly the light of his life. He glowed when he talked about her. Please know my heart is with you, Beth, as you grieve this painful loss.
I can't imagine Lance "resting" in peace. I hope he's having a good long peaceful walk in the woods, maybe along a lake, somewhere in the next world. Until we meet again, Lance.
Mark Lutz
April 17, 2024
Lance was one of those mild-mannered persons who you could always count on, always! Very proud of his daughter and the work he did. I worked with Lance over my career with Nix Mann-Viehman/Perkins& Will for just over 30 years and it was amazing to me how Lance always knew his stuff and could keep up the pace with the changing technology. One thing Lance always strived in the younger Architects was to think about what we were designing and the technical outcomes of our actions. He truly spread a "technical culture of understanding"...all to make us better at what we do throughout our career.
Lance we will miss your corny witty jokes, partnership and true friendship,
May you now be in peace...see you again later!
This beer is for you....
John Elvin
April 17, 2024
My condolences to Lances´ family and friends.
Lance was a great friend and an excellent mentor.
o Sincerity and empathy were his touchstones.
o Working with him on specifications he exhibited one of his mantras: "Don´t make it up". Research what you do not know, rely on the past to inform you, and innovate if you can.
OK Lance... I expect you will teach us something from the other side.
Thanks ahead of time.
George Valcarcel
April 16, 2024
Lance was one of the first two Architects I worked with at Perkins & Will. At that time I did not realize just HOW MUCH we would collaborate over the next 24 years. He was technically savvy, inquisitive, mindful, committed, and always cheerful. He was a mentor and a professional and through this process we became friends.
Lance,
Thank you for always being so thoughtful and genuine. ..... you will be missed by many, my friend.
Rodrigo Reyes
April 16, 2024
Lance, you were a mentor and a friend, thank you for the undivided attention, for making us laugh, and for always striving for perfection. I like to think that you have already resurrected in the hearts of all you love. This is not a "good bye" but a "see you later". With Love
Rodrigo Reyes and family
Jones Lindgren
April 16, 2024
I'm so saddened to hear of Lance's death. I've known him since I was an architecture student at Georgia Tech and he was a teaching assistant for several of my technical classes. We reconnected when I joined Nix, Mann in 1985 and Lance continued as a valued mentor in the early days of my career. As we both advanced in our careers through NM and later Perkins&Will, Lance remained a knowledgeable and friendly "go to" person and resource that I could always count on. My prayers are with your family at this difficult time.
Mark Joyner
April 16, 2024
Lance was set in his ways long before we ever met, or started working together....And it didn't take me long to learn why his way was right! I quickly gained respect for his process, which involved me actually doing the work. Rather than writing specifications for us, he created a culture of technical ownership in the studio by forcing us to participate in the process.
I tried to soak his knowledge up like a sponge, and appreciate his patience when I wouldn't leave his desk until I figured it out. I'm eternally grateful for the moments we shared together and all that he poured into me. May he rest in peace...
Paul Van Slyke
April 16, 2024
Lance, you will be missed. I always sought you out at beer-time in the Nix-Mann days and enjoyed your conversation and whit. You were patient with me on the spec writing and it really benefited me in many situations. Rest in peace my friend.
John Hogshead
April 15, 2024
I too worked with Lance during our careers at Nix Mann & Associates, Nix Mann Viehman and Perkins & Will.
I learned more about the practice of Architecture sitting with Lance working through my Project Manual in one morning, than I did in one year delivering the entire project!
I remember with great fondness his `old school´ system of editing specs...multiple volumes of huge three-ringed binders with `original´ spec sections that needed to be removed from the binders and photo-copied prior to editing with a red pen, white out tape and/or liquid, or pieces of blank paper and scotch tape...for large deletions...
Lance was the technical backbone of our practice. He was my friend, colleague and practice mentor.
He will be sorely missed.
PS Beth...the last time I saw you was in a photo with your Dad at the Super Bowl...Lance was very proud of you and your accomplishments!
Marcia K Knight
April 15, 2024
I worked with Lance during our careers at Nix Mann & Associates, Nix Mann Viehman and Perkins & Will. Lance was patient, kind, and measured - a resource of architectural and construction knowledge. In the numerous times I sought his assistance with project specifications, he offered his help generously and patiently, over and over! My work was better as a result of his shared knowledge and wisdom.
With my gratitude for his dedicated teaching and support, Marcia Knight
Tom Kantsios
April 12, 2024
I was fortunate to be in the same fraternity, TKE, at N.C. State University with Lance. We enjoyed many good times together. Since several of our fraternity brothers live in Atlanta, we would meet periodically for lunch and share many of our college day experiences. May his memory be eternal. Tom Kantsios
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