Bernard Galler

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Dr. Bernard A. Galler (b. October 3, 1928, Chicago – d. September 4, 2006, Ann Arbor, Michigan) was a mathematician and computer scientist at the University of Michigan who was involved in the development of large-scale operating systems and computer languages including the MAD programming language and the Michigan Terminal System operating system.

He attended the University of Chicago where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, followed by a Master's Degree from UCLA. He received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Chicago in 1955.

He joined the Mathematics Department at the University of Michigan that same year. In the early 1970s, when the University of Michigan formed a Computer Science Department, he was one of the founding professors.

He retired from the School of Engineering's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department (EECS) in 1994. Prof. Galler was a pioneer in the field of computer science. He was involved in the development of large-scale operating systems and computer languages.

Prof. Galler helped to develop the computer language called the Michigan Algorithm Decoder (MAD) that was used for several years by the University of Michigan and some other universities. He taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in computer science during his 39 years with the University. He also served as an undergraduate counselor and as the advisor to many Ph.D. candidates.

In an example of a student/teacher research project, his class developed the real-time course scheduling program called Computer Registration Involving Student Participation (CRISP) which allowed students to register for courses without waiting in long lines. The University used the CRISP application for over fifteen years. From 1968 to 1970, Prof. Galler was the President of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).

He was the founding editor of the journal The Annals of the History of Computing. He was also the President of the Software Patent Institute (SPI). For fifteen years, he served as an expert witness in numerous important legal cases around the country involving computer software issues.

Prof. Galler met his wife of 55 years, Enid Harris, when they were students at the University of Chicago. They had four children and nine grandchildren. He excelled in music and played violin in several orchestras throughout his life. He also enjoyed playing in chamber groups and encouraged each of his children to play a musical instrument.

In 2001, he co-founded the Ypsilanti Youth Orchestra for children whose schools did not have string music education. From its inception, Prof. Galler served as a mentor to the students and as the president of the Orchestra Board. He was also an active member of the Ann Arbor chapter of Rotary International.

He died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism on September 4, 2006, aged 77. In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, he was also survived by his sister, Vivian Korn of Ashland, Oregon.