Warren Galkin, 95

WARWICK, R.I. – By anyone’s standards, Warren Galkin was a stand-out human being. He leaves a legacy of inspiring many.  

He was born two days prior to Independence Day in 1929 to the entrepreneurial, charismatic and loving family of Arthur and Shirley Galkin and their 3-year-old son, Bob. Arthur had carved out his own path at the age of 21, quitting his job as an assistant manager of a shoe store, investing his savings in a horse and wagon, and selling wastepaper. Arthur went on to found Natco Products, still in business today, four generations later and still family owned. It’s from this hardworking family that Warren learned the value of hard work and a strong moral code.  

He graduated from Hope High School and went on to Brown University, earning an ScB in Physics, then on to Wharton to earn a master’s. After graduation, Warren enlisted in the Navy as an engineering officer, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. From there, he joined his father’s company. He served many roles in the company, including head of the industrial relations department, negotiating and successfully executing union contracts. As a result of his skills, Natco never had a strike or grievance that went to arbitration.  

When Arthur retired, Warren and Bob ran Natco. Bob managed the business end. Warren served in many roles, including putting his physics degree to work designing labor-saving machines for the factory, machines that would go on to create the iconic Pam Am flight bags. He and Bob sat with desks facing each other for more than 70 years. Their relationship was the perfect balance, Bob being the outgoing “mover and shaker” and Warren balancing out the team with his quiet intelligence and modest demeanor.  

He was married to Joyce Galkin, the love of his life, and traveled extensively with her, preferring to explore the world by train and by walking. In his spare time, Warren found joy in playing the organ and built many throughout the years. He loved skiing, rollerblading, bike riding and wind surfing. In his late 80s, the family watched in awe as he skied the Glaciers, in Austria, as well as windsurfed in Newport Harbor.  

Warren had a huge impact on the Boys and Girls Club of Warwick, setting up its first endowment fund and spearheading the construction and remodeling of its club buildings. He is the first inductee into its Hall of Fame. In the field of education, Warren has set up many endowments and scholarships that inspire students to achieve. One example is at Brown University, where he established the Galkin Physics Fellowship that funds research by their top physics graduate students as well as funding an undergraduate stipend for research in the Brain Science Department.  

In 2017, Warren was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame and received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the New England Institute of Technology. He was on the board of the Japan-America Society of Rhode Island. He also earned the 2017 Middendorf Pillar of Freedom Award from the Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity.  

He has served as an inspiration to so many, including his three nieces, who adored him. Ellen Kenner, the oldest, will tell you that Warren taught her to take care of her body and her mind. This inspiring advice set her on a path to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology. Jane Litner loves to recall how Warren helped her excel in math, inspiring her to become a math teacher. Each time they were together, Jane would say, “IDOW” (I depend on Warren), and he would return “IDOJ” (I depend on Jane). His youngest niece, Debby Krim, was driven to mechanical and artistic endeavors, which, she will tell you, come directly from Warren’s influence. In the 1960s, Uncle Warren was ahead of his time gifting her “boy toys,” which all had “some assembly required.” Those toys, along with his supportive words, gave her the confidence to embrace mechanical challenges.  

He is survived by his stepdaughter, Cathy Gennert, and her husband, John King; their son, Ben King, and his wife, Stacey King; and their daughters, Zara and Layla, and son, Josh King  

So many friends, neighbors, family members and employees were profoundly impacted by Warren’s generosity of ideas, his thoughtful support and his humility. He was easy to love, and so many of us loved him.  

Contributions may be made to Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick, PO Box 8938, Warwick, RI 02888.