In Memorium

Galen M. Oakes Sr. ’48 (Messiah Academy) died July 18, 2022. He had an extraordinary record of service at Messiah University. One of the most notable examples was through his tenure on the Board of Trustees, which began in 1963 at Upland College. After serving on Upland’s board for two years, Oakes began more than four decades of service on the Messiah board. A total of 44 years of service on the Board of Trustees – with eight years as chairman of the board – is an unparalleled contribution to Messiah. From his faithful leadership of the Operations Committee and the Board of Trustees to his generous donations to multiple projects to his support of the construction of the incredible Oakes Museum of Natural History on our campus, Galen used the many gifts God blessed him with to further bless Messiah University. It was our honor and privilege to name Galen and his late wife Boots ’49 (Messiah Academy) as recipients
of the 2011 Engle Service Award, which recognizes those who have provided meritorious support to Messiah University. She faithfully served alongside her husband for all of those years, often tending to family issues so he was able to travel to Messiah. The Messiah community offers our love and sympathy to his widow Kathy and the entire Oakes family at the loss of this wonderful servant of the Lord. His legacy at Messiah will endure.