Dr. LeRoy Vincent Gallagher, DVM, 80, and his lifelong bride Alma Annis Gallagher, 82, both passed from this life on Sunday, Oct. 8, in Silverton, Ore. LeRoy was born in Erie, Pa., on Feb. 26, 1927, the son of Eugene Joseph Gallagher and Myrtle Mary Gallagher Dayton. Alma was born in Earling, Iowa, on Sept. 21, 1925, the daughter of Dr. Eric Joseph Gambee, MD, and Dora Gambee Langenfield. LeRoy (Roy or "L.V.") Gallagher and Alma Gambee first became acquainted while assigned to adjacent seating in a class at Oregon State University (College) following World War II. Soon thereafter, Roy approached Alma and her mother as they exited Sunday morning Mass, only to be rebuffed on his invitation to escort them both to breakfast. Alma's mother, Dora Gambee, instead insisted that Roy come home with them for a real home-cooked Sunday breakfast. Roy ended up with eggs-over-easy on his Sunday go-to-meetin' tie, which also required some home-cooked remedies. That taken care of, Roy and Alma married on July 14, 1951, in Corvallis, Ore. Although born and educated through his early teenage years in Erie, Roy yearned to follow his father and elder brother out West. After expressing this ardent desire to his mother, she told him to finish up the school year and the whole family would move en masse. Roy's father was a postal inspector (a type of federal marshal) at that time, and was assigned to track down mail robbers throughout the Northwest. The Gallagher family purchased a homestead in Riddle, Ore., and headed west during the height of World War II. Toward the end of the war, Roy became eligible and entered the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman. Following the war, his father insisted that Roy leave their humble farm and pursue an education with his GI Bill. Roy's indoctrination into the medical field while in the Navy, and his love of animal farming, led him to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine. Alma's father was encouraged to emigrate from Iowa to Oregon following the tragic death of her father, a World War II veteran and country doctor who was killed in an automobile accident on the way home from delivering a baby. Two of Dr. Gambee's brothers had a joint medical practice in Portland, Ore. Alma, her four siblings, and her mother made their way to Corvallis, Ore., for the benefit of the children's advanced education. Their former home in Corvallis is now owned and used by Oregon State University due to its proximity to the campus. Alma graduated from Oregon State with a bachelor of science degree in education. After marriage, Roy and Alma moved to Pullman, Wash., in order for Roy to continue his training in veterinary medicine at Washington State University (College). Alma taught primary education in a one-room schoolhouse in Helix, Wash. Their first two children, Jennifer and Daniel, were born in Pullman during those years. Following graduation from WSU, Roy accepted an internship at the Tillamook County Veterinary Hospital in Tillamook, Ore. Times being as they were, and with five more children (Michael, Joseph, Laura, Jeffrey and Bill), following in fairly quick succession, they made Tillamook their home for the next 25 years and Roy became a partner in the large and small animal veterinary practice with Dr. Roy Peterson at the Tillamook County Veterinary Hospital. In 1978, when the majority of their children were off to college or graduated, Roy and Alma decided to return to WSU in Pullman. Roy was accepted and completed his master's degree in veterinary anesthesiology, then went on to help establish the Department of Veterinary Anesthesiology at WSU and to teach anesthesiology and small animal surgery for 14 years. His daughter, Laura, an aspiring veterinarian during the time, was one of his students (her gain!). Alma was employed also during that time as an assistant to the Dean of Students. Following retirement in 1992, Roy and Alma spent several years enjoying Pullman's quiet lifestyle, pursuing their passions of reading, woodworking, gardening, and traveling. They moved to Silverton, Ore., near the town of Mount Angel in 2000 to be more near family as Alma's health was deteriorating. On July 14, 2001, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Silverton with family, extended families, professional associates, and friends far and wide. Roy cared for Alma in their Silverton home for several years as the effects of Parkinson's disease became manifest, then visited her daily when it became necessary for round-the-clock care at a nursing facility. In August, 2006, Roy and Alma's family noticed a decline in Roy's health as well. He was soon, thereafter, diagnosed with an irreversible neurological disorder and deteriorated rapidly. Roy and Alma spent their last few days on this Earth together in the care of the staff of the Marquis Center Nursing Home in Silverton. On Sunday morning, Oct. 8, Roy passed peacefully to eternal sleep. Later that evening, Alma joined hands and followed. They leave behind their seven children; eight grandchildren, Timothy (Andra), Christine, Jessica, Lindsay (Joshua Crumb), Molly (Joshua Walter), Hannah, Niamh Marie, and Fionn); two great grandchildren, Elijah Crumb and Jacob Gallagher; three sisters, Janet Myles (Gallagher) and John, Deloah Brady (Gambee) and Bob, Eline Twombley (Gambee) and Bud; and two brothers, Max Gambee (Jo Emma) and Gene Gallagher. A Rosary Prayer Vigil will be offered at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mt. Angel, Ore. The Funeral Mass for Roy and Alma, celebrating their loving life together and their passage together into the Resurrection, will follow at 11 a.m. Monday morning, Oct. 16, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Interment and a reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to AA organizations or local Catholic Daughters. Arrangements are under the direction of Unger Funeral Chapel.