Bernard A. Galler (1928-2006)
B.S., Math, U. Chicago, 1947
B.S., M.S., Math, UCLA, 1949
PhD, Math, U. Chicago, 1955 |
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As a pioneer in the field of computer science, Professor Galler
helped shape the discipline at the University of Michigan. Professor
Galler joined the Michigan faculty in 1955 and remained at the
University until he retired. He was instrumental in developing the
computer science department, as well as the Computing Center. For over
forty years, he inspired and mentored hundreds of undergraduate and
graduate students in the field of computer science. In the early
1960s, Prof. Galler was active in the development of the new Communication
Sciences Program, and in 1966, he became associate director of the
Computing Center. His association with the Computing Center continued
through 1991, during a period of tremendous growth and change in the
areas of computer science and computing services. He became a charter
member of the new Department of Computer and Communication Sciences
(CCS) in 1966, and served as chair of the department from 1973-75.
The CCS Department was one of the first of its kind in the country,
and Professor Galler was influential in the development of the software
and mathematics curricula for computer science. He participated in
significant computing developments at U-M, including development of the
Michigan Algorithm Decoder (MAD) that was used for several years by the
University of Michigan and other universities, and Computer Registration
Involving Student Participation (CRISP), which allowed students to
register for courses without waiting in long lines. Students registered
with CRISP for more than fifteen years.
Professor Galler served as an officer of the Association for
Computing Machinery (ACM) from its earliest days, including the
presidency from 1968-70. In 1980, the ACM awarded him its Distinguished
Service Award for his contributions to the field. He was a natural
historian, and ensured the history of computer science was recorded and
remembered by founding the Annals of the History of Computing in 1979.
Prof. Galler retired from the University of Michigan in 1994. His
personal papers are housed in the U-M Bentley Historical Library. |
