Some might say it is fitting that Hugh Gallagher died tending his garden.
For a man who spent his entire life nurturing those around him, his death Tuesday was a poignant reminder to be tender toward the things in our own lives.
"If you had a list of the nicest men in the world, he would be at the top," said Connie Carlson, a kindergarten teacher at Hugh Gallagher Elementary School, named in his honor. "He was always nonjudgmental. He was a great speaker. If you were lucky to have him talk about you, he would make you think you were the greatest person alive."
Gallagher, 85, was a superintendent, principal, teacher and coach in the Storey County School District when there was one K-12 school in Virginia City. Carlson, 56, who was hired by Gallagher, first met him when she attended fifth-grade in 1961 when there were 100 students in the school.
"He was my teacher, my principal, my superintendent, he hired me," she said. "I've known him since I was 11. He taught us government, history, accounting, driver's education."
She said he was the first and last person at school, and one day when she was sneaking out with a friend for a shopping trip to Reno, the two turned around and found Gallagher behind them.
"He asked where we were going, and we said out shopping. He said, 'School's not out.' And we turned around and went back."
Virginia City Elementary School, built in 1977, was later named after Gallagher. A photo of him hangs in the hallway.
"Hugh Gallagher was a marvelous man," said Ed Murkovich, 66, a resident of Virginia City and social studies teacher at Virginia City High School. "He understood kids all the way through the little people in kindergarten through the kids in high school. And he understood people in general. Hugh just understood people."
Gallagher hired Murkovich in the district 36 years ago.
"I think anyone who ever studied under him or worked for him held him in the highest respect," he said. "We still do."
Gallagher made it a point to congratulate people when they did things well. Murkovich remembers receiving encouragement from him when he was a basketball coach. Gallagher, who returned to Virginia City in 1946, also coached basketball. He graduated from Virginia City in 1938.
Gallagher retired from the school district in 1979, and continued living in Virginia City with his family. He was known as a local historian and lectured at the Gold Hill Hotel.
"I think if one were to describe Hugh, it was as a gentleman," Murkovich said. "He not only had the respect of this community, but he was highly respected throughout the state. He was a very bright man, and his interest was always with kids.
"It's a big loss. The impact he had up here - it was big."
The message Gallagher leaves is lasting. Carlson, who received a last glimpse of him the evening before he died, was on her way to Reno from school.
"He didn't see me," she said. "I think he was planting his tomatoes. He was in his garden."
• Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.