St. Louis lawyer dies at age 69 from cancer

St. Louis Daily Record & St. Louis Countian, May 29, 2002 by Erin Suess

Donald P. Gallop, one of the founding members of the law firm Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, L.C., died last Wednesday from cancer at the age of 69. He was remembered by friends and colleagues as a gentleman and friend who could be looked to in times of need.

"He was such an incredible person. As a friend and as a person, I don't know of any with a greater ability in terms of judgment [and] advice than Don," said Professor David Becker of Washington University School of Law. "He was a man of extraordinary integrity, loyalty, devotion -- both to friends, I'm certain to clients, family and institutions. He was a gentle person who sought accommodation and compromise, and he was very skillful at it. He was one of the finest people I have ever known."

Gallop received his bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1954 and his law degree from Washington University School of Law in 1959. He also served in the U.S. Army as a lieutenant. From 1959 to 1976, he practiced at various St. Louis law firms before deciding he wanted to start his own firm with law school friend Sanford Neuman.

"He built an outstanding law firm with a reputation, like his, of absolute integrity and a high level of craft," said Professor Dorsey D. Ellis Jr. of Washington University School of Law. "He was the kind of person that one would point out to students as emulating the lawyer in the highest role, one who was a real professional in every sense of that word. He loved the profession of law."

Gallop served on the boards of several community organizations, such as Washington University School of Law's National Council; the Municipal Theatre Association of St. Louis, also known as the Muny; the Missouri Historical Society; the Whitaker Foundation; Barnes- Jewish Hospital; the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission; and the Regional Business Council of the Regional Chamber and Growth Association.

"He was wonderful to work with, and he had always been a great supporter of the law school and just a great example for all of us as a human being," commented Professor Dan Keating of Washington University School of Law, who had worked with Gallop when Keating was interim dean of the law school.

He was recognized for all of his hard work over the years from his law school alma mater on various occasions. In 1991, Gallop received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Washington University School of Law, and again in 1992 from Washington University. In 2000, he was honored with the Dean's Medal from the Washington University School of Law, and in 2002, the board of trustees of Washington University presented Gallop with a tribute resolution for his "extraordinary dedication and service to Washington University and its School of Law."

Said Sen. Thomas F. Eagleton: "Don Gallop at all times was a gentleman. I never saw him without a smile. Even as his health deteriorated, Don would `put on a happy face.' He never griped about his illness. He never said, `Why me? Why me?'

"He was a brilliant lawyer. He not only impressed his partners but his legal adversaries as well. He never resorted to an unfair tactic. He was open, candid and forthright. You could believe anything Don Gallop told you."

Gallop was also a member of the American Bar Association, The Missouri Bar and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. In addition to these organizations, he also served on the board of directors for the Magna Group Inc., Falcon Products Inc. and Data Research Associates Inc.

"In my remarks yesterday [at Monday's memorial service], I mentioned a favorite Italian quotation of mine, usually given as a toast, and it is to the effect of that when you find a friend, one then finds a treasure," said Becker. "And he was exactly that: an important person in my life at every level."

Gallop is survived by his wife of 42 years Sue Steiner Gallop of Ladue, his two sons John Gallop of Chicago and Tom Gallop of Los Angeles, his two daughters Betsy Gallop Dennis of Chesterfield and Emily Gallop Coen of University City, his sister Ilene Litvag of Creve Coeur and seven grandchildren.

"He was an absolutely wonderful person to practice law with. I've known him since we started law school in 1956 but really got to know him well practicing with him for the past 25 years," said Neuman. "He was a very good lawyer, very good counselor, good listener. He had a lot of integrity; he was a very moral person, very honest. He had a lot of warmth and humor and just a wonderful person to be with."