Ormond Galvin: Sculpting Strong

When this song was being introduced to the world by the Beatles, Ormond Galvin was 50 years old. Yes, our oldest student, Mr. Galvin is a young 96. Galvin is taking classes at LBCC/Benton Center because it makes him feel young.

Ormond Galvin, a 96-year-old ceramic student, working on an abstract piece at the Benton Center. Photo by Nora Palmtag.

Wednesday, May 22, Laurie Childers, Ceramics instructor, and Lin Olson, the administration liaison of Benton Center held a reception celebrating Galvin’s works and his contributions during World War II, where he enlisted and served 18 months in Europe as an armourer, repairing and maintaining guns and explosives for “The Mighty Eighth Army Air Force.” Childers was giving a synopsis of Galvin’s life as related to her by his 66 year old son, Norman and Galvin immediately said, “Probably lies.”

Not only was the reception attended by teachers, administrators, and students, but of his only daughter, Mary Kay Kresslein, flew (she does not like to fly, unlike her father and grandfather) in from Frederick, Maryland and surprised her father. Galvin is the proud father of four, grandfather of four, and great grandfather of six. Also present were his daughter-in-law, Cheri Galvin, his granddaughter, Tabitha Compton, and her son/his great grandson, Odin Compton, who is looking forward to going to school and loves the zoo. Odin reminded me so much of the picture displayed of Ormond at his age.

The only outward signs of his age are his hearing aids; otherwise, he is spryer than a lot of the younger students on campus. Galvin broke his back skydiving when he was in his 60’s, from which he recovered and was still flying a helicopter when he was 93. Along with producing some amazing ceramics, animals and abstracts, Galvin has to miss class sometimes to drive an 85 year old friend to her doctor appointments.
Not only was he able to watch Charles Lindbergh disembark from his transatlantic flight but grew up on the “Westside” of Central Park and observed the build of The Empire State Building. When asked, “What things have amazed you during your lifetime?”

 First, he mentioned the hay barrier, when steam engine was invented, as this started the industrial revolution. Next, he said the sound barrier being broken from planes to jets was another big thing. Finally, Galvin talked about the size of the microchip, pulling out his cell phone, in comparison to the size of the original computer, encompassing an entire room, 8 feet by 3 feet by 100 feet, and took up 1800 square feet.

Jane Herbst has known Galvin for 10 years and proclaimed, “He is a proper gentleman, thoughtful, in a time when it seems to be dead.” She, also, said, “Galvin is considerate of others and, not only does he try to help others, but he is always grateful for any help from others, trying to repay even the smallest favors. Herbst loves the parties Galvin throws for his family of students, who are all considerably younger than him.

Carrie Gibbs has known Galvin for a mere five years but admits he is “super funny and sharp. He is on it.”

Galvin has enjoyed many exciting and risk taking hobbies, from skydiving, flying planes and helicopters, sailing, horseback riding, and driving, to more sedate hobbies, like painting and ceramics.

While being introduced, Galvin kept throwing out quips. Jeff Richards commented that he would hate to be an old man and forget to close your fly. Galvin immediately said, “It’s better than being an old man who forgets to open his fly.”

Childers said, “Ormond is courteous and nice and he never puts anyone down.” Galvin replied, “I once read a book on gravity and I could not put it down.”

He is a true artist, as shown by the bookmarkers, which were given to the audience as memoirs of the occasion by his family.

One interesting fact, discovered when talking with Galvin, is that Spindrift Cellars, a small family-owned boutique winery in Philomath is run by Tabitha Compton, his granddaughter and her husband Matthew. He is so proud of the wine they produce and talked about the quality of wines, just like an expert, which he said he is not, but he appreciates a good wine or sometimes those “fruity” drinks.

And to answer the original question, yes, we still need Ormond Galvin to remind us that anything is possible and nothing is out of your reach. On those days when 40, 50, 60, or any age makes you feel old, think of Ormond Galvin and pick up those feet and do something about it to make yourself remember that you can do anything you set out to achieve.

Long Live Ormond!