Industry veteran was a world-renowned plumbing researcher.
My good friend, Dr. Lawrence Galowin, Ph.D., died on May 15. This sadly brings us to the end of an era. Larry was the last remaining researcher at the plumbing test labs at the National Bureau of Standards, now known as National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Larry joined the staff of NBS in 1974. He began at the end of the glory days in plumbing research. However, Larry was fortunate enough to do a lot of research, especially in air and wastewater movement.
I was fortunate enough to meet Larry in the spring of 1975. My senior year spring break trip was a working vacation that included a visit to the plumbing lab at NBS. A good friend who worked for the American Iron and Steel Institute arranged the trip. It was fascinating. What was really fascinating was the enthusiasm of the man in charge, Dr. Larry Galowin.
Larry and I became reacquainted three years later when I was considered for an internship as a researcher in the plumbing lab at NBS. Unfortunately, the internship was cancelled during the final phase of interviews.
But two years later, Larry and I started working together on the ASME A112 Committee. That is the committee that writes all the standards for plumbing fixtures. This was the start of a long friendship. Every time we would get together, we would talk about the latest in research. We also would talk about our favorite pastime, skiing. Larry skied well past the age of many skiers. That gives me hope to continue for many years to come.
Larry also introduced me to another great plumbing researcher, Professor John Swaffield, Ph.D. John, Larry and I had many dinners together. We also had dinners together with our wives. The wives would always marvel that we could talk all night about plumbing research.
When you look at the impact Larry had on our profession it is too much to mention in one column. Larry was a consummate leader in environmental, energy and health issues. While a federal employee at NBS, he worked with many other divisions of the federal government, giving advice and helping them properly regulate plumbing.