Beloved husband of the late Marcia Haggard (nee Shaffer). Dear father of Loretta (Colleen Gilmore) Haggard and the late Lynne (surviving Jon) Rumney. Dear grandfather of Danica Rumney and Jonathan Gilmore. Dear brother of Neill (Jenifer) Haggard. Dear uncle of Sharon Haggard. Loving companion of Marion Pleis.
“Gale,” as he liked to be called, was born in St. Louis, and lived in University City with his father, mother, and brother Neill. He fondly remembered riding the street cars with his mom, “Wallie.” The family moved to Wellesley, Massachusetts when Gale was 14. Gale attended MIT where he studied geology and was a proud member of the Chi Phi fraternity. He obtained his masters degree in meteorology from the University of Michigan. In 1960 he married his college sweetheart, Marcia Shaffer Haggard. Not long after that, he joined the Air Force. He was assigned to Schilling Air Force Base in Salina, Kansas where he provided weather forecasts during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Then he and Marcia were sent to England, where their first daughter, Loretta, was born. Gale left active duty in 1965, and the family moved to Omaha, where he served as a civilian employee at the Strategic Air Command. Their second daughter, Lynne, was born in Omaha. The family moved to the Washington, D.C. area in 1969. After a short time at IBM, Gale began his career with the National Weather Service. He retired in 1991 and enjoyed some beautiful vacations with Marcia before she passed away in 2003. Gale moved back to St. Louis in 2006, to be close to Loretta who had settled there. He built two villa homes there, and ultimately he moved to the Laclede Groves Senior Community. He was an active member of Parkway UCC, where he met his dear friend Marion Pleis. They were inseparable companions for the past five years, and enjoyed several riverboat cruises and trips to the Ozarks. Gale loved his cats, Finley and Gabriel. He was an avid photographer, genealogist, and toy train and streetcar enthusiast. And he loved old time music. Gale was a quiet and gentle soul who loved nature as well as a deep dive into progressive theology.
SERVICES: Gale’s life will be celebrated with a visitation and refreshments at Parkway UCC, 2841 N. Ballas Rd., at 1 pm on Saturday, March 22, followed by a memorial service at the same location at 3 pm. He will be interred with military honors beside Marcia at Parklawn Cemetery, 12800 Veirs Mill Rd. in Rockville, Maryland on Saturday, April 5 at 1:00 pm, followed by a memorial service at Christ Congregational Church, 8900 Georgia Ave. in Silver Spring, Maryland, at 2 pm on Sunday, April 6. Contributions to Parkway U.C.C., The Trevor Project or to the charity of your choice appreciated.
Gale was a loving constant in my life and I will miss all the holidays we shared. He had a quiet calming presence and sweet smile. My heartfelt condolences to Loretta, Colleen, Jonathan, and all who loved Gale.
Love,
Susan
When Neill and I divorced Gale told me that I would always be his little sister. He was always there for me. See you later, my big brother.
Gale was a wonderful man and I have many happy memories of serving on the Open and Affirming committee at Parkway UCC with him. His kindness and humor always shone through. He will be missed by many. Paulette Winkelmann, Pleasant Hill, California.