John Galston Obituary
Galston
John Wood
Galston
November 5, 1940
April 30, 2022
John Wood Galston, Former Director of the Commission on Pennsylvania Avenue, dies at 81.
John W. Galston, born November 5th, 1940, died peacefully of natural causes at his home in Colorado Springs, CO on May 1st 2022. In his final days he was surrounded by his loving wife of eighteen years, Linda Galston, daughter, Alexandra Murray of New York, NY, and two sons, John (Jay) Wood Galston Jr. of Los Angeles, CA, and Matthew Galston of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Growing up in Cold Spring Harbor, NY, John was an avid athlete and outdoorsman. At the Greenvale School on Long Island, and later at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH, he excelled in both lacrosse and ice hockey. John's passion for competitive sport extended to tennis, squash, golf, skiing, shooting and sailing, where his performance in the Atlantic One Design Class aboard his beloved #109, Madralena, yielded many awards, often achieved alongside his children in Parent/Child events. More than any trophy, he valued the many lifelong friendships formed with so many playing partners, racing crews, and competitors.
After graduating from Phillips Exeter in 1958, John received a B.S. in Psychology from Tufts University Cum Laude in 1962. Following Tufts, he earned his Master's in Architecture at Yale University, receiving the American Institute for Architects' prestigious Henry Adams Medal, awarded to the graduating student with the highest academic ranking. Shortly thereafter John became a Fulbright Scholar at the Royal Danish Academy of Architecture in Copenhagen, Denmark.
In 1966, John returned to the United States, settling in Washington D.C. and starting work at the renowned architecture firm, Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill (SOM) As an Associate at SOM, John was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson as Director of the Commission on Pennsylvania Avenue, working directly under the commission's chairman, Nathanial Owings, founder and managing partner of SOM.
The commission's objective was to "reinforce the Avenue's unique role as the physical and symbolic link between the White House and the Capitol," while simultaneously, "making the Avenue… a bridge between the monumental Federal Core … and the city's downtown."
Though not all the Commission's designs were adopted, some remain in place today, most notably, the reflecting pool at the base of the US Capitol Building, envisioned by Charles L'Enfant in his original city plan. The Capitol Reflecting Pool is presided over today by the statue of President Ulysses Grant on Horseback, for which John and Owings personally secured approval from the Grant family. Near the other end of the Avenue, The Haupt Fountains frame the White House in the main north-south axis at 16th Street and Constitution Avenue NW. These were John's design project, his indelible contribution to the nation's capital.
While on the Commission, John met his first wife, Mary Lou (ML) Dennin, whom he married in 1970. John became a partner at SOL in 1974. Shortly thereafter, John, ML, and new daughter Alexandra relocated to Manhattan, where John founded a real estate development company, Envicon Capital Corp.
As President of Envicon throughout the 1970s and 80s, John grew the company through numerous commercial and residential development projects across the United States. During this time, he joined the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and later its sister organization, World Presidents Organization (WPO), where he served on the Board. In both YPO and WPO John forged deep, lasting connections with a close group of friends who shared, among other things, extraordinary travel experiences throughout their lives.
In 1980, the Galston family, which now included two more children, Jay and Matt, relocated full time to Cold Spring Harbor, where John deployed his leadership skills towards his community. Serving as President of the Board of the East Woods Board of Trustees from 1982-86 began a lifelong effort to support various educational institutions. John valued the education he received and endeavored to create similar opportunities for others.
All three Galston children attended Phillips Exeter, which inspired John to join the Academy's Alumni Council Board. John attributed much of his success in life to the Academy's Harkness method teaching style and its focus on thorough discussion, careful listening, and rigorous debate.
During the late 1990's ML began a battle with cancer that ended her life in 2003. John's dedication to her care was unquestionable during her nine-year struggle. Following ML's passing, John reconnected with Linda McColl, former owner of The Villa in Palmer Lake. A recent widow herself, Linda and John became natural companions. They married in late 2004 and would have celebrated their eighteenth anniversary later this year.
Puerto Vallarta served as a rich chapter in life for John and Linda. Along with a new, inseparable group of friends, they explored every corner of Mexico, enchanted by its stunning natural beauty, rich culture, and welcoming people. Outside of Mexico they ascended to Machu Pichu, sailed through the Straits of Magellan, learned how to cook Paella in Barcelona, reeled in countless salmon in the lakes of Ontario, and saw more than a few Hakas performed in New Zealand. John's years in Puerto Vallarta also led to his most lasting contribution to the world of education. Intrigued by a local initiative to start a bilingual school in nearby Nuevo Vallarta, John funded the school's initial Charter. Far more valuable, however, he built a relationship between the school administration and the faculty at Phillips Exeter Academy, where he had remained closely involved throughout his life. The Exeter faculty responded with tremendous support, training new teachers on site in Mexico, and inviting them to come back and see the Harkness Method in action on campus at Exeter.
Today over 1,500 students attend The Harkness Institute, as it is now called. With a class size of no more than fourteen, a 5:1 student/teacher ratio, and round tables in each classroom, it is widely regarded (including by the US College Admissions Board) as the number one secondary school in Latin America.
John's achievements, contributions, and dedication to family, friends, and community speak for themselves. He will be remembered as someone who enriched the lives of everyone around him, habitually seeking out the good in people, naturally bringing them together, intuitively spotting the common ground, and always aiming at a positive outcome for all parties.
Unless, of course, there was a piece of sporting equipment or a deck of cards within arm's reach.
John is survived by his wife and three children, mentioned previously, and six grandchildren: Madeline and Caitlin Murray, Charles (Charlie) and Benjamin (Ben) Galston, and Marshall and Caroline Galston. John was predeceased in 2003 by his wife of thirty-three years, Mary Lou (ML) Dennin Galston. A memorial service will be held at St. John's Church in Cold Spring Harbor, NY on August 6th . In lieu of flowers, the Galston family kindly requests donations be made in John's name to either Save the Children or the Harkness Institute, Broadmoor Catty and Leadership Academy.
Published by The Gazette on May 29, 2022.