MORAGA, Calif. - In the early hours of January 4th, Brother Ronald Joseph Gallagher, FSC, affectionately known as Brother Ron, passed away while in hospice care in the Holy Family Community at Mont La Salle in Napa. He died peacefully at the age of 78. 

Brother Ron's commitment to Lasallian education, service, community, and faith profoundly impacted countless Saint Mary's students, faculty, staff, and others. He served as the 28th President of Saint Mary's from 2005-2013 and was a beloved and monumental figure for the institution. Brother Ron was a crucial advocate for Saint Mary's athletics and was a part of some of the most impactful and successful years in the campus's history including the women's volleyball first ever 13-win conference season in 2009, men's basketball's Sweet Sixteen run in 2010 and men's soccer's Elite Eight appearance in 2011. 

Brother Ron also contributed to several campus projects during his seven-year tenure as President. He cited the shepherding of the construction of the Kalmanovitz School of Education building, the renovations of Oliver Hall, and the inception of the $30 million Athletics and Recreation Corridor—which includes the building of the Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center—as three of his many achievements during that period.

After the completion of the Saint Mary's baseball stadium and hitting facility in May of 2023, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Matoso honored Brother Ron for his service, legacy, and affinity for baseball and SMC athletics by officially naming the field Louis Guisto Field at Br. Ronald Gallagher Stadium. 

Mike Matoso | Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics

"There are simply not enough good things to say about Brother Ron and the impact he had on Saint Mary's and the athletics department" said Matoso. "Brother Ron was one of the kindest, most dedicated and genuine people you'll ever meet. Putting his name on the entrance of that gate is just a small token of our appreciation and we are forever grateful for his support of Saint Mary's athletics".  

Randy Bennett | Head Men's Basketball Coach

"Brother Ron had such a positive impact on our athletic department and myself, we had a wonderful friendship and he will be dearly missed. As a person, he stood for everything that makes Saint Mary's such a wonderful place to work and get an education. His impact on my coaching career and life will forever be ingrained in my heart."

John Arnaudon | Former Trustee and Saint Mary's Alum '81

"Brother Ron was an incredible leader for Saint Mary's that enabled the athletic department to grow into what it is today. It was a great honor to work with Brother Ron and I will miss his companionship and the light he brought into the lives of everyone he knew".  

Adam Cooper | Head Men's Soccer Coach

"Brother Ron was a tremendous ambassador for Saint Mary's College athletics both on campus and in the community. He did so much to elevate our athletic profile in the WCC and on the national scale. On a personal note, he did so much for me in my growth as a coach, a leader, a father and a human being in general and I will miss our conversations dearly".

Tom Carroll | Deputy AD & Associate VP for Advancement and Athletics

"Brother Ron impacted so many lives during his time at Saint Mary's College. He was extremely warm, caring, and always with a smile and a joke. He was present at games and matches for all sports and well known by student-athletes and fans. His support of SMC athletics had a real impact on the success of our programs and the growth of our department as a whole". 

Scott Hardy | Head Men's Golf Coach

"My best memories and take away from knowing Brother Ron was how great he was at lifting people up. He had a way about himself that made others feel good about themselves. He was encouraging and took time to listen. He had a love for golf and I would ask him about his game or last round but he was only interested in hearing about our student-athletes, our last tournament, or where we were going next. He was a Gael through and through and he will be greatly missed". 

After serving as an English professor at Saint Mary's in 2001, Brother Ron would eventually be named campus President in 2005. In 2013, after two terms as President at Saint Mary's, he served as Interim President of Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory in San Francisco. He returned to Saint Mary's as President Emeritus in 2018, enjoying retirement with his Christian Brothers community and supporting institutional initiatives, especially mission and formation activities. 

Funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced when they become available. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethlehem University or Saint Mary's College in his memory. Donations may also be directed to the Brother Ronald Gallagher Endowed Scholarship Fund, which helps students in need of financial assistance.
 

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