Dr. Patricia Denese Galloway Obituary (2024)

It is with deep sorrow that we share Pat lost her courageous battle with pancreatic cancer September 26, 2024. She passed peacefully with family and beloved friends by her side. Pat was born in Lexington Kentucky June 14th, 1957, as the only child of John and Maudine Frisby. She had the natural ability to captivate the room with her infectious energy, bright smile and zest for life. Pat never met a stranger. She was a natural leader, meeting challenges presented to her with determination, creativity, and grace. She had an insatiable thirst for knowledge that followed her through life, garnering her numerous degrees, certifications, and accolades. Pat leaves behind a monumental legacy as a renowned leader in civil engineering, giga project construction, and dispute resolution. Her extensive experience as CEO for the Nielsen Wurster Group and Pegasus Global Holdings included large and complex projects throughout the world such as the Panama Canal Expansion, London's Crossrail Project, Vogtle Nuclear Units 1, 2, 3 & 4, Kuala Lumpur International Airport and many, many more. Pat also served as an arbitrator since 1987 in many U.S. domestic and international arbitrations and dispute resolutions. She was recognized by her peers as a Fellow of the College of Commercial Arbitrators, becoming the first non-lawyer to be elected to the College, a Fellow and a Chartered Arbitrator of the UK Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Distinguished Academy of Neutrals. Throughout her career, she lent her skills and expertise to a broad portfolio of corporate, community and government boards. Highlights include serving as the first woman President of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2004 and serving as a member of the U.S. National Science Board having been appointed by U.S. President Bush for a six-year term with two of those years as its Vice Chair. She also served on boards for the SCANA Corporation, Bergmann and Associates, the American Arbitration Association, the Central Washington University Foundation Board of Trustees, the Pacific Science Center, and the Pan American Academy of Engineering. At the time of her passing, she was serving on the boards of Pegasus-Global Holdings, Stantec, Granite Construction and Life Support (a local not-for-profit). Pat was a prolific writer and world-renowned speaker having authored over 130 papers, approximately 30 peer reviewed journal articles and nearly 200 public speaking engagements including over 45 keynote addresses. She served as a guest lecturer at multiple universities across the globe from Australia to China to Europe and here in the United States. Pat's achievements were highlighted by her TEDx talk on "Are Engineers Human?", and on a variety of media outlets such as Sky News Australia TV, ADR Perspectives, PM Network, Time magazine, CNN Lou Dobbs; Discovery Channel; Engineering News Record; and Federal Technology Watch. She was also a blog writer for Engineering News Record discussing current trends, challenges, and hot topics in the construction industry. Her unending curiosity and love of adventure led her to all seven continents. From horse riding in Australia, to deep sea fishing in Alaska with her family, safaris in Africa and expeditions on the Galapagos Island, she was well traveled and always planning her next trip. Pat and Jim shared a mutual love of the outdoors which took them on many hunting and fishing expeditions across the globe. If she wasn't travelling the world, she was entertaining friends and family at Unionville Ranch or relaxing with Jim at their Montana and Lake Kachess cabins. Pat always held a special place in her heart for her beloved pets, a good glass of wine (or two), and gardening at her home. She was an integral part of her community here in Cle Elum. She was passionate about mentorship, with an emphasis on women in engineering. She was generous in her support of many causes which include Life Support, The Nature Conservancy, Women in Engineering, Alzheimer's Association, and the Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Network. Pat is loved, cherished and survived by her husband Jim. She is also survived by their children Megan and Travis, her mother Maudine Frisby, her late husband Kris Nielsens' daughters Chri, Tanya, Tara and Lia, and the many friends and colleagues whom she held dear. She leaves an enormous void in our lives, and she will be sorely missed. Per her request, her celebration of life will be held at Unionville Ranch Cle Elum, Washington at 2:00pm on Saturday October 19, 2024. We invite you to join us immediately after for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and sharing memories of her remarkable life with family, friends, and colleagues. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Life Support, The Nature Conservancy, Alzheimer's Association, Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Association, or Purdue University's Women in Engineering (WiE) Program in honor of her memory. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com