Dr. Arthur Francis Galla

Art was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 8, 1929. As a child, he grew up in a Polish neighborhood in Chicago. Both his Parents were born in the United States and his Grandparents immigrated from Poland. His father was a Medical Doctor (a Dermatologist). Art's exposure to the Polish culture in Chicago during the Depression Era had a significant influence on many aspects of his life. Growing up, Art loved playing baseball, was a fan of wrestling, and enjoyed stamp collecting. He loved the Chicago Cubs and attended several games at Wrigley Field. He was active in Scouting and eventually achieved the highest level of Eagle Scout. He was always very proud of that achievement.
During WWII, Art's father was an Army Medical Doctor for the OSS (Office of Strategic Services). He was stationed on Catalina Island. The family lived on the island and Art attended his first years of high school there. After the war, the family settled in Palo Alto where Art finished High School at Palo Alto High. Later the family purchased a house in the San Mateo Highlands.
Art attended the College of San Mateo for two years where he excelled in Biology and Chemistry, and then transferred to Stanford University and graduated with a Bachelor's and a Master's degree. Art was then accepted to UCSF Medical School. He focused on General Medicine. During Medical School, Art met his future wife, Gloria. They were married in 1955 at the old St. Mathews Church in San Mateo.
In 1958, after completing his Hospital Residency in Torrance CA, Art was drafted into the US Army as a Medical Doctor with the rank of Captain. Art was stationed overseas in Munich, Germany. Art and Gloria had two kids by then, and the whole family moved to Munich. They lived there for three years.
By 1960, Art and Gloria had three children. Art was fascinated with Germany and he really loved the food, beer, and culture. He attended many Oktoberfests throughout his life. While in Germany, Art also became an avid Photographer.
In 1961, after being honorably discharged from the Army, Art started a Family Medical Practice in San Mateo. In 1964, the growing family moved to a larger, newly constructed house in the San Carlos foothills. In 1966, Gloria gave birth to twins. Fortunately, Art and Gloria's San Carlos home was large enough to accommodate a family with five children. Art loved the house and the forest setting on Brittan Avenue. He lived there for 61 years.
Art was a devoted doctor and saw a variety of patients at his office in San Mateo. He made many house calls, multiple trips to the emergency room at Mills Hospital, delivered many babies, and assisted Surgeons with operations. Art had a successful medical practice in the San Mateo area for over forty years.
Art loved watching Baseball and Basketball games and he was a huge fan of College and Professional Football. He enjoyed playing baseball as a teenager, and as he got older, he became a serious Golfer. He was also an avid snow skier and took the family on many ski trips. Art was a season ticket holder with the San Francisco 49ers for over forty years and attended several championship games and a Superbowl. He also loved the Oakland A's and attended many games. Art's greatest passion, however, was playing Golf. He often played with close friends on local courses and in Hawaii. He also played in tournaments in Lake Tahoe and Reno. Art developed many lifelong friendships through golf. Eventually, Art became a member of Sharon Heights Country Club in Menlo Park where he played golf frequently. Art and Gloria also celebrated many family occasions there.
Art was an avid reader and enjoyed adventure and crime novels, as well as books on WWII and Presidential history. Art amassed a large collection of hardcover books. Art loved adventure, war, and romantic movies and collected hundreds of videos and DVD's. He also recorded several movies on video tapes.
Art lived a long and fulfilling life. He passed away peacefully in his home. He is survived by Gloria, his wife of 70+ years, and his five children: Vanessa, Tim, Elaine, Kim, and Karen, and his three grandchildren: Sam, Gabrielle, and Justin.
Art, you will be dearly missed. May you find eternal peace in the loving hands of our Almighty God.