Dr. R. LaVerne Gallman

Dr. Ruth LaVerne Gallman passed away peacefully Friday, July 26, 2013 at her home in Temple. Visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Sunday, July 29, 2013 at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 PM Monday, July 29, at Memory Park Cemetery in Longview with Rev. Shinia Kelsey officiating. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, August 10, at Oak Park United Methodist Church in Temple with Rev. Johnny Miller officiating. All friends are invited to come celebrate the wonderful life of Dr. Ruth LaVerne Gallman at that time. Dr. Gallman was born in Burkburnett, Texas on April 22, 1924, to James Robert and Eva Leota James Gallman. Her family moved to Union Grove where she graduated from Gladewater High School in 1941 and immediately began educational pursuits that were the start of a very illustrious career as a professional registered nurse and nurse educator. She graduated from Kilgore Junior College in 1943, and then moved to Temple where she attended the Scott & White School of Professional Nursing, graduating in 1946 with a diploma in nursing. Her professional nursing career began at Scott & White Hospital as the night supervisor and continued to work her way up the hospital system until where in 1949 she became an instructor for the Diploma Nursing Program. By 1952, she was the Educational Coordinator/Associate Director of the Scott & White Nursing Program. During this time at Scott & White, she returned to school at the University of Texas School of Nursing in Galveston and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing Education in 1949. She received a Master's degree in Education (1957) and Doctorate of Philosophy (1970) from the University of Texas at Austin. She also attended North Texas State University, the University of Hawaii and the University of Southern California obtaining post-doctoral study in gerontology. In 1969 when the diploma program at Scott & White transitioned to a baccalaureate nursing program, she became the first professor and chairman of the Department of Nursing at The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton. She remained in that role until 1975 when she joined the School of Nursing faculty at The University of Texas at Austin and remained there until her retirement in 1992 and received Professor Emeritus status. As a distinguished scholar, Dr. Gallman's awards and recognitions are too numerous to list. Her contributions to nursing education were recognized across the country. Her dedication to nursing education guided thousands of students across her professional career. She relished seeing a new nursing graduate succeed and then progress through the educational process to attain the highest degrees possible. Her mentorship will be remembered by many who continue to teach and guide new nurses. She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, The International Honor Society of Nursing, Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Lambda Theta, Honor Society in Education, The American Nurses Association, The Gerontological Society of America, the Southwest Society of Aging and many more. She was recognized by Scott & White Hospital School with a distinguished alumni award and as the Piper Professor while at Mary Hardin-Baylor. In 1985 students and colleagues at The University of Texas at Austin established the LaVerne Gallman Distinguished Lectureship to honor her many contributions to nursing education. Her latest honor was in 2012 when the dean's suite at the new nursing building on the Mary Hardin-Baylor campus was named for her through a generous donation from a graduate. She was a very active member of the Oak Park United Methodist Church in Temple. Her interest in studying the Bible led to participation in the bible study classes on a regular basis. Her belief in God guided her life. Dr. Gallman's studies in gerontology led her to present speeches in many venues on care of the aged population. One of the most endearing things in her life was to teach her nieces and nephews how to "Hook Em Horns". As an avid Longhorn supporter and Lady Longhorn basketball supporter she would make every attempt to attend the games. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, James Robert Gallman Jr., and great-niece Jena Stapp. Those left to honor her memory are her sister, Billie Gallman Martin, nieces, Dr. Pam Martin, Debbie Martin Cline and husband, Jim all of Hallsville; Denise Martin Plummer and husband, Dave of Longview; Ruth Ann Gallman Smith and husband, J.R. of Bedford; Karen Gallman Vasquez and husband, Miguel of San Antonio; and nephew, James Robert Gallman III and wife, Marie of Benbrook, and sister-in-law, Ruth Gallman of Bedford . She is also survived by several great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, and cousins. The family wishes to thank the staff at Cornerstone Rehabilitation and Nursing Home for their attention and kindness during her stay. The caregivers from HomeInstead were the most wonderful individuals a family could ask for to care for a loved one. Their compassion and quality care will never be forgotten. The family would like to express thanks to the pastor and members of Oak Park United Methodist Church. The family request that in lieu of flowers that gifts in Dr. Gallman's memory be made to Oak Park United Methodist Church, 5505 S. 31st St., Temple, Texas 76502 and the Dr. LaVerne Gallman Distinguished Lectureship at the School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, 1710 Red River St., Austin, TX 78701.