Kenneth Gallik

Kenneth Andrew Gallik,"Ken," 91, passed away on March 13, 2025.

Ken was born on October 11, 1933, in Great Falls, MT, the youngest of Andrew and Anna Gallik's seven (7) children. Ken was raised at "Number 7," located off the Lavin Spur of the Northern Pacific Railroad, adjacent to the immigrant communities of Stockett, Tracy, and Sand Coulee, MT ("the Gulch"). Ken's father, an immigrant from Austria, worked in the coal mines following the loss of the family farm shortly before Ken's birth. When Ken was six (6) years old, his father died of "black lung" disease, leaving Anna to raise Ken with help from his siblings.

Ken attended Stockett-Sand Coulee High School (Centerville). He was a natural athlete, excelling in all sports, particularly basketball, football and baseball. After graduation in 1951, he joined the Air Force where he worked the Air Operations Desk in Okinawa and the Philippines. After receiving his honorable discharge, Ken enrolled at Montana State College (MSC), funded by the G.I. Bill.

Ken married Beverly J. Freeman, "Bev," (from Sand Coulee) in November 1959 in Great Falls. Following Ken's graduation from MSC in 1960, with a Civil Engineering Degree, they moved to California for employment with LA Water & Power. Ken later took a job with RCA Service Company (Raytheon) where he worked on the design and construction of airport surveillance, radar, and mountain top air traffic control systems in Utah, Colorado, and Nevada.

In 1962, Ken and Bev decided to return to Montana. Ken joined the USDA Forest Service. He worked on the following national forests: the Lolo, Kaniksu (ID), Lewis & Clark, Custer, and in 1971 he joined the Gallatin National Forest as the Forest Engineer and Resource Coordinator, later serving the public as Deputy Forest Supervisor and, when asked, Acting Forest Supervisor. His accomplishments on the Gallatin included completing long outstanding land exchanges in Cooke City and facilitating the West Yellowstone townsite expansion to completion. Ken also ensured that the present road to Hyalite Dam and surrounding public lands was designed and built with minimal environmental damage. Former Forest Supervisor John Drake states he continues to receive compliments about the road's sensitivity to the natural environment, while maximizing access to public lands.

Following the "Fires of 1988," Ken was assigned to the Greater Yellowstone Recovery Fundraising project. He was reassigned to the Washington D.C. office to work with Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico to implement legislation creating the National Forest Foundation. Congress created the Foundation with a simple mission: bring people together to restore and enhance National Forests and Grasslands for the enjoyment and benefit of the public. The Foundation supports public-private partnerships to ensure these public lands remain healthy and vibrant and provide the present and future generations with access to and enjoyment of 193 million acres of public lands. Ken retired from the USFS in 1994 to work full-time for the Foundation from 1995-1998. He then worked for TD&H Engineering, in Bozeman, for several years, where he enjoyed inspecting construction sites.

Family was Ken's priority. His upbringing during the Depression shaped him as a man, husband, father, and grandfather. He said his goal as a father was simply to provide his kids with more opportunities than he had growing up and to support them in whatever path they chose to follow. Knowing how difficult it was for his kids to move every couple of years, he committed to living in Bozeman until all 3 of his kids graduated from Bozeman High. He turned down several professional opportunities to attain that goal. He also coached his son's Little League team to a City Championship and was a Cub Scout leader. Ken instilled in his children a love of Montana, and, most importantly, quiet confidence that they could accomplish anything they set their minds to. He passed that confidence on to his grandkids, all of whom brought him tremendous pride.

Ken loved spending time with his family backpacking, camping, fishing, rafting the Smith River and skiing. Backpacking into Lightning Lake, in the Beartooth Mountains, was his favorite destination. He made four (4) brutal trips to that lake. There he fished for golden trout, where catching the state record was always a possibility and accomplished on one trip by his brother Ray -- a record that stood for over 20 years (Ken caught a larger golden on an earlier trip but, not knowing the state record, cooked it for dinner).

Ken didn't forget the Gulch. When Bev's father, Art, an employee of the Anaconda Company's smelter at Black Eagle, went on strike (more than once) for better pay and working conditions, Ken secured a job for him on USFS fire crews, as a cook, to ease the financial challenges associated with those strikes. That income helped support Art's family and others in the Gulch.

Traveling with Bev was important to Ken. They visited Europe, Asia, Central America and Alaska. Closer to home they enjoyed Montana's national forests and wilderness areas, its rivers and Yellowstone National Park. They particularly enjoyed the magic of Yellowstone Park in the winter.

Ken enjoyed building and fixing things. He built and then remodeled the family home on Hill Street. With Bev, he spent many summers building their beautiful cabin on Dalton Mountain near Lincoln, MT. Ken's brother Ed, who helped build the cabin, had to remind Ken, several times, that they "weren't building a damn piano." Time at the cabin with family was a highlight for Ken and Bev, especially when the grandkids were around.

Ken was a die-hard fan of Montana State women's basketball. For over twenty years he and Bev held season tickets to watch the Cats. He traveled to Reno, NV (2017) and Boise, ID (2019), with his son-in-law Yueh, to watch the conference tournaments. In what turned out to be the final hours of his life, he instructed that the championship game between the Cats and Lady Griz be played on TV. He passed away the next morning with a smile, knowing the Cats had, once again, defeated the Lady Griz and were conference champions.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Bev; his parents and siblings; his daughter Carol A. Melchior; and grandson Sean N. Gallik.

He is survived by his son, Brian Gallik (Amy) of Bozeman, daughter Sandra Chuang (Yueh) of Helena; grandchildren September Harper (Matt) of Bozeman, Keir Gallik (Gaby) of New York, NY, Renee Chuang-Kragten (Blake) of Costa Mesa, CA; step grandchildren, Derek Verzuh of Denver, CO, and Kayla Verzuh of Livingston; great grandchildren Liam and Nora Harper (Bozeman) and Torrey Kragten (Costa Mesa, CA); nieces and nephews around the state and country; and family members who proudly call "the Gulch" home.

Ken's last several years were made more enjoyable with the teasing, food runs, and companionship provided by Amanda Sutton. The family also appreciates the support of Ken's many friends and colleagues from the USFS and his Hill Street neighbors.

A celebration of Ken's life will be on Friday, April 4, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Dahl Funeral & Cremation Service, 300 Highland Blvd. A reception will follow where Ken's favorite sandwich -- sardines and onions (not yet on the Pickle Barrel's menu) - will be available only upon advance request. For those unable to join in person, the service will be livestreamed at www.dahlcares.com.

Those wishing to send a memorial in Ken's name are encouraged to donate to the National Forest Foundation, www.nationalforests.org, or the MSU Women's Basketball Program, www.msuaf.org/give-fastbreak.