Howard Gallensky
Howard David Gallensky, 95, a WW II veteran, resident of Cheyenne, Wyo., and past president of Mt. Sinai Congregation, passed away Feb. 18, 2020, in Cheyenne. Rabbi Larry Moldo officiated at the Feb. 20 service held at Mt. Sinai.
Interment followed with full military honors at the Cheyenne Jewish Cemetery. Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home made the arrangements.
Mr. Gallensky was born Aug. 4, 1924, in Norfolk, Neb. The family lived in Nebraska and New York before settling in Laramie, Wyo.
He graduated from Laramie High in 1942 and studied mechanical engineering at the University of Wyoming until he was drafted to serve in the Army Air Corps in 1943.
Over the next three years, Mr. Gallensky served both stateside and overseas, culminating in a tour of duty in the South Pacific that included Iwo Jima and Saipan.
Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to Laramie and graduated with a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of Wyoming in 1948.
Mr. Gallensky then joined F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne.
Initially hired as an electronics instructor, he advanced to senior instructor, course writer and mechanical engineer before being promoted to chief engineer, a position he held for 33 years.
Mr. Gallensky married Lila Helfand Gallensky in Cheyenne in 1958.
Following his retirement from Warren AFB, Mr. Gallensky began a second career teaching algebra and electronics courses part time at Laramie County Community College.
A volunteer at Mt. Sinai, he served on the board and was president of the congregation for 17 years.
Mr. Gallensky belonged to several communal organizations including the Masons, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
He loved living in Wyoming and could often be found fishing in solitude near a quiet trout stream in the mountains surrounding Laramie.
Howard Gallensky is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lila Gallensky; children Neil (Alison) Gallensky of Westminster and Lisa (Ron) Sherman of Denver; and grandson Eric Sherman of Denver.
Contributions may be made to Mt. Sinai Congregation or the charity of choice.
