Galen R Struve at the age of 75, passed away Friday, December 16, 2022 unexpectedly at his home in Blue Springs, MO.
Galen was born on May 4, 1947. He had fond memories growing up on the family farm in Manning, IA. Later the family moved to Blairsburg, IA, Rochelle, IL and then to Manilla, IA where he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Elaine. After graduation, he pursued his artistic talent and graduated early from the Omaha Art Institute. Upon graduation, he became an Art Instructor for the Institute. An art director position for a livestock publishing company led him to the Kansas City area.
Throughout his life, Galen had three careers never losing touch with the other; teaching, illustration and coaching softball. The second part of his career began in the livestock industry where he served as art director for two Kansas City based livestock publications. Later as a freelance artist, his work was featured on the covers of several national and regional cattle magazines, promotions for various beef breed associations, the American Royal and in ad campaigns for several well-known purebred beef producers. His livestock background as a youth no doubt exposed him to the anatomy of animals which he mastered by turning his drawings into photo like pictures. For over 25 years, Galen was a free-lance illustrator and designer. Some of the illustrations are or have been in the Steamboat Arabia, H Roe Bartle Hall, the American Royal, Longview Farms, Westminster College and the Jerry Litton Visitor Center to name a few plus countless proprietary logos including the City of Blue Springs.
Athletics was always part of his life. Personal competitive sports included basketball, baseball, fast-pitch softball and semi-pro football; but competitive women’s softball became his life. Galen was a recognized fast- pitch clinician and pitching instructor utilizing his illustrations as a tool in teaching correct pitching form to pitchers in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Galen coached several competitive summer girls’ softball teams before advancing to the women’s collegiate level. Galen began his college head coaching career at William Jewell College in 1992 winning back-to-back Heart of America Conference championships. He was named HAAC Coach of the Year in 1993. In 1996, he became the head coach at the University of Missouri-Kansas City rewriting the UMKC’s record book in almost every category. While at Avila University in 2001-2002, he founded the Dennis Gault Memorial Tournament. Rockhurst University started their softball program in 2005 with Galen as the head coach. The Hawks won 213 games and earned three berths in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament. Galen retired in 2017, ending his coaching career with a Conference Championship.
Galen is preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Velma Struve. He is survived by his wife Elaine Struve; daughter, Dana Struve; granddaughters, Shayla (Tucker) Fletchall and Emily Hill; great granddaughter, Lainey Fletchall; and his two sisters, Glenda (CW) Baker and Janene (Patrick) Barry as well as loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, beloved friends and former softball players.
His pride and joy was truly his family. His passion and love of softball transformed into soccer for his granddaughters. He spent hours watching the girls play but could never understand the “offside” rule! Galen was an incredible Dad to Dana, and Papa to his precious granddaughters and great granddaughter. They were shown unconditional love and were treasured by him. All of the family will miss his incredible smile that would always light up a room.
A private family service will be held in December. The family plans to hold a Celebration of Life in the Spring for friends and family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Galen’s name to a Women’s Sport Program of your choice. Galen loved sports and especially women’s athletics whether it be local or professional. It would be a great honor to him to continue to support those activities. Arrangements has been entrusted to Meyers Funeral Chapel in Blue Springs. Memories of Galen and words of comfort for his family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com
Oh Elaine, I am so sorry for your loss. May God hold you in his arms. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Elaine, we are so sorry to hear about Galen! Our thoughts are with you and your family. Your neighbors, Steve and Karen McKemy
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Galen! He will certainly be missed! Prayers for the family.🙏
Elaine and family, so sorry for your loss. Galen was a family man and always smiling. He will be missed by all. May God comfort you at this time. Prayers for all. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
So sorry for your loss Elaine and Dana. He was a great guy!
Our sympathy goes out to you Elaine in your loss of Galen. Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. Al and Linda(Saunders) Deiber
Dear Elaine & Dana,
I am sorry & stunned to hear of your loss. Please accept my sincerely sympathy. I hope at this sad time your Faith can lift you up & give you peace. I am sending Love to you & your family.
Elaine, we’re very sorry for your loss.
Please accept our condolences.
George and Rita (Rowan) Satalia
Elaine, so sorry to learn of Galen’s passing. My sympathies to you and your family.
Galen helped my daughter become a competitive pitcher in tournaments, high school and college. He was very patient, even to the point of deconstructing her delivery and completely rebuilding it. She went on to strikeout over 600 in her high school career. He made me a better coach and somehow always found time for us. Softball lost a giant!
Elaine, I’m sorry to hear about Galen. My condolences to you and Dana.
Elaine this is Beanie and Myrna. We had the honor of meeting you and Galen in September. Sending you and family our sympathy and sincere prayers of comfort.
Elaine, Dana so sorry for your loss. We were shocked with news of Galen’s passing and know that he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. If you need anything, please let us know.
Elaine, You have are sympathy Steve and Dara Jorgensen
Elaine, I’m so sorry hear of Galen’s passing!
My thoughts and prayers are for you and your family.
RIP Coach. I was honored to have known you, honored to have had you as my coach and honored to have played for you.
-Avila Softball 2000-2002
Shocked and saddened to hear the news of Galen‘s passing. He coached our daughter Amanda at UMKC. It was amazing to see how players blossomed under his guidance.
Elaine, I can put together a few video clips that he is in and text or email them to you if you would like them.
Blessings to all the Struves!
Elaine, I was deeply saddened to learn of Galen’s passing. I always enjoyed visiting with you and him at family gatherings. I only regret that we didn’t have more of them. The thing I remember most about Galen is his smile. His grin was almost infectious. He will be missed by many. Hugs and prayers are being sent your way. Take care!
So sorry to hear of your sudden loss. Thoughts and prayers for his family and the many lives he touched.
Our deepest sympathy Elaine and family. Remember when he painted Dr Hennessy portrait, it was beautiful!
Elaine, I’m so sorry to hear about Galen passing. Thoughts and prayers are with you and his entire family. He was such a great and fun softball coach!
My family and I have been thinking of you all. We were so sorry to hear about Galen’s passing (still should be “Mr. Struve to me …🥰…). Your family always treated me like family and I have so many wonderful memories of hanging out at your house as a kid. He was such a kind man, a great host and I will never forget his incredible talent. Loved seeing his studio in your house as a little girl. I was in awe! Ha! Love you all. Kristen and the Guilford family.
So sorry for your loss. Galen made such a difference in my life as well as many both on and off the softball field. He touched so many and left a legacy. May your memories comfort you at this difficult time.
-Jill (Wilcoxson) Brown, Hi-Boy Pride
Elaine, so very sad for your loss. May peace be with you during this difficult and sad time.