Obituary of Galen K. Pletcher

Canton, NY-

Galen K. Pletcher, 80, died September 21, 2023, at Canton-Potsdam Hospital in Potsdam, NY.  He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Kenneth Elmer and Lila Stevenson Pletcher.  He grew up in Lowell, Michigan.  In 1968, he married Cecilie Ann Sewejkis, who predeceased him in 2003.  Their children are David M. (Alexandra Turnbull) Pletcher and Jessica Pletcher, both reside in Colorado.  He is also survived by his wife, Helen Main McLean Pletcher, her three children and six grandchildren (to whom he was “Poppy”), his sister Pat (Alan) Conway of Marble, Colorado, and many cousins. 

After studies at Kalamazoo College and the University of Michigan, he taught philosophy and comparative religion for 45 years at the University of Michigan, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, and the State University of New York College at Potsdam.  From 1994 until his retirement in 2011, he was also Dean of Arts and Sciences at SUNY Potsdam.  After retirement, he served on the Ethics Board of St. Lawrence County and on the United Helpers Management Company Board of Directors, finishing his service on the Board as President.

Music was an important part of Galen’s life, with a special fondness for opera.  He was a member of the Ad Hoc Singers at St. Lawrence University, as well as a member of First Presbyterian Church choir in Canton.

A memorial service will be held on October 15th at 1:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church of Canton, where he was a member.  Funeral arrangements will be through Lawrence Funeral Home, Canton, NY (lawrencefuneralhome.org).  In accordance with his wishes, his body has been cremated.  Burial will be in the Pletcher plot in Oakwood Cemetery, Lowell, Michigan.

Memorials may be made to The Society of the United Helpers or to Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley.