Robert Galton

Robert (Bob) Ph.D Galton, of Linden Ponds, Hingham, MA, formerly of New York City, New London, and Norwich, CT, died on Monday, September 11, 2017, at the age of 90 in Weymouth, MA, after a brief illness. He was born in Westerly, Rl, on October 6, 1926, the son of Herman and Ethel (Shafner) Goldfaden.

Bob was the loving husband for 23 years of Frances (Pettinelli) Galton of Hingham, formerly of Boston and New York City. He was predeceased by his two older sisters Mildred Handleman of Chapel Hill, NC, and Thome (husband Milton) Bellin of New York City. He is survived by his wife Frances and his niece, Susan Zarutskie, M.D., (husband Eric Robinson) of Wilmington, NC, his brothers-in-law Anthony Pettinelli (wife Patricia) and Robert Pettinelli (wife Pauline), several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bob graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1944 before joining the Army, where he served in the 147th Infantry as a T-Sgt. During his WWII training, he was his platoon's discussion leader in the Troop Information Program Series before being sent to Okinawa. He received an honorable discharge in 1946. As a boy, Bob was an Eagle Scout, earning the Order of the Arrow Sash. After Army service, he attended Clark University, receiving an A.B. in Psychology and Sociology in 1950, and became a student Lecturer at Worcester Memorial Hospital. He went on to receive an MS in Social Work, MA in Human Relations, MS in Administrative Medicine, and Ph.D. in Socio-Medical Sciences -- all from Columbia University.

 In NYC, Bob held positions as a social worker, HIP administrator, Clinical Assistant Professor of Community Medicine at NY Medical College, Lecturer at Columbia School of Public Health, an elected member of NY Academy of Medicine, NY Academy of Science, and Sigma XI (an honorary society). In 1982, he chaired the NY Academy of Medicine's Annual Health Conference on Access to Health Care, published in the Academy's Bulletin. He was appointed Assistant Regional Director of Region II (NY, NJ, PR, VI) of the U.S. Public Health Service from 1973 to 1982. He also served on Governor Rockefeller's Committee on State Health Access.

Bob was a member of the Disabled American Veterans of America because of his Army hearing loss and the Linden Ponds Veterans' Association. Also at Linden Ponds, he co-founded the Great Decisions discussion program, taught a WWII course in the Lifelong Learning Program, and with his wife started a ballroom dance group. A very kind, thoughtful individual who remained remarkably calm and reasonable under stress, Bob loved telling jokes, discussing world affairs, listening to classical and country music, and ballroom dancing. His integrity and open-hearted spirit were apparent to everyone who met him.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017 in the Linden Ponds Derby Clubhouse in Hingham at 11:00 a.m. Donations in Bob's name may be made to a charity of your choice. 

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