Dr. Patrick Paris Galla passed away peacefully on April 10, 2024, at the age of 97. He was born on March 5, 1927, in Lambert, PA. (Near Uniontown, PA.) He was the son of Italian immigrants who loved this country passionately. He was the youngest of nine children. He often said that every child born into this world should have a childhood as happy as he and his siblings.
He attended Pennsylvania State University where he studied pre-medicine and was inducted into the Premedical Honorary Society (AED). After graduating with a B.S. degree from Penn State he attended Georgetown University School of Medicine and received his Medical Degree in 1954.
He loved medicine and enjoyed it so much that he never considered it work. He devoted himself to a life of study. After an internship in Wheeling, WV. he practiced medicine for 5 years in a rural area, declared as medically deprived by the federal government. He worked in an area of 8000 people who considered him their doctor.
In 1960 he joined the Air Force. He was sent to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. Shortly after arriving he was appointed the Director of the General Practice section of the Wright-Patterson AFB Hospital. He had the greatest respect and appreciation for all who have fought and defended our country.
Following his Air Force tour, he took a residency in psychiatry at the University of Louisville. He practiced psychiatry for many years but was concerned he was losing his General Medical skills. He made sure that he took additional training in Emergency Medicine and did Emergency Medicine for 2 years at Audubon Hospital before returning to Psychiatry. He then served as the Medical Director of Our Lady of Peace Hospital for 4 years. He then joined the medical staff of Central State Hospital and was Co-Medical Director for additional 4 years.
In 1994 he moved to Columbia, KY. and assisted in establishing a psychiatric unit at the local hospital. He worked at the hospital with the Adanta Mental Health Group until his retirement in 2004 at the age of 77.
During his life he enjoyed golf in the Summer and snow skiing in the Winter. From an early age he enjoyed Astronomy and owned several telescopes.
He was the local representative, and member of the Board of Directors of River City Cable T.V., which successfully won the Cable T.V. franchise for the city of Louisville in 1984.
Dr. Galla was a lifetime member of the Southern Medical Association.
He is survived by his beloved wife Muriel. They were married in 1964. He always referred to her as “the finest human being he has ever known”, and he was the luckiest man in the world for being married to her. They have two sons, Christopher, and Thomas, both of Louisville, KY. Thomas and his wife Carolee have given the Gallas 3 grandsons: Thomas, Patrick, and Gabriel. Dr. Galla had 2 sons and a daughter from a previous marriage. Daughter Christine lives in Silver Spring, MD. with her husband Howard Webb. Son Patrick lives in Louisville, KY. with his wife Sally. Grandson Michael and his wife Deda live in Louisville with children Millie and Kalan. Son Leonard lives in California.
Saturday, April 20, 2024
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM (ET)
Pearson Funeral
149 Breckenridge Lane
Louisville, KY 40207
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Following the visitation, in the chapel of
Pearson Funeral Home
149 Breckenridge Lane
Louisville, KY 40207
Get Directions
Immediately following service
Calvary Cemetery
1600 Newburg Rd.
Louisville, KY 40205
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Pat loved food, and was very sensitive to people who were hungry, poor, and homeless. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in his name to the Franciscan Kitchen, The Salvation Army, Wayside Christian Mission, or the Christian Appalachian Project.
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