Galen Howard Messamer, a long-time Anaheim High woodshop teacher, passed away June 8, 2013, at his home in Long Beach. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 14, at Hilgenfeld Mortuary in Anaheim.
Age 93 at the time of his death, Messamer was born Aug. 17, 1919, in Chicago to Orlo and Margaret Messamer. He was the youngest of their seven children.
Howard grew up in Adel, Iowa. After graduating high school, Howard headed west with $5 in his pocket. He worked as a ranch hand, pulling from his years of experience being raised on a farm, while simultaneously putting himself through school. He attended UCLA, where he received a bachelor’s in teaching and went on to CSU Long Beach for his masters.
Howard met Alice Gallagher on the tennis courts of Santa Monica and soon married her in 1943 in Long Beach. They were happily married for 63 years. Their home was a destination for family events and holidays, and all were welcome.
Howard signed up for the Naval Reserve V-7 program in 1942, commonly referenced by him as “the 90 day wonders.” The Navy was a huge part of his life and he felt strongly that “anyone who could be of use should answer the call.” He lived every aspect of his life that way-with a generous, loving heart and service to others- his family, friends and country.
He taught industrial arts, woodshop, mathematics, machine shop and drafting in at Anaheim High and in Redlands for more than 37 years. He was at AHS for more than three decades.
In his free time he enjoyed discovering the many wonders of the USA through weeks of camping, yearly passes to Disneyland to watch the parades with his grandkids or dance to the big band music with Alice. And let’s not forget all those nights of playing cards with his close group of long-time friends.
Howard is survived by his daughters Janet Ferguson (Dale) and Bonnie Womer (Jim), six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at Hilgenfeld Mortuary, 120 E. Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92805, at 12:30pm, Friday, June 14, 2013. A visitation will be held prior to the service, from 10:30-12:30. Burial will follow the funeral at Fairhaven Cemetery, 1702 E Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705. A reception will follow, at the home of his daughter, Jan Ferguson, at 4827 E Colorado Street, Long Beach, CA 90814.
Published in Orange County Register on June 13, 2013
