Russell "Russ" S Galpin

With extreme sadness the family of Russell Galpin announces his passing on November 14, 2025 at the age of 96.

Russ was born in Winstead CT on August 14, 1929. When he was 14 the family moved to Canaan NH. Russ graduated from Canaan high school in 1947 then worked for the local newspaper. He joined the army and served in the Korean conflict 1951-1953. On his return to New Hampshire he worked as a Linotype operator for the Claremont Daily Eagle.

He married Phebe Strout in 1954 in Claremont NH. They moved to Hillsboro NH in 1960 where Russ worked as a Linotype operator for the Messenger. They raised their children Russell, Peter, Steven, Barbara and Sam in Hillsboro.

In 1966 Russ bought the commercial printing equipment from the Messenger and founded Pherus Press. The business was truly a family business in which Phebe ran the front office, the boys learned to run the presses and the whole family turned out to help during the busy town report season. Later Russ was well known in the printing community for his ability to die cut even the most difficult items and was often asked to do jobs no one else would touch. In 2004, at the age of 75, Russ finally retired and sold the contents of Pherus Press.

Russ was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, camping and hiking all his life. He was proud to have hiked into the Grand Canyon and in the Teton Mountains. The family camped together regularly until poor health prevented him from continuing in 2024.

Russ shared that love of the outdoors with the local Boy Scouts for 7 years. He truly loved teaching hunter safety, which he did for 64 years. He received a commendation from governor Maggie Hassan, received the Del Main-Charlie Brock Founding Fathers Award, and has his name engraved on a granite bench installed at Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness NH.

Russ was an active member in the Deering Fish and Game Club since moving to Hillsboro and served as an officer many times. In later years he was an avid Bridge player, playing twice a week at White Birch in Henniker.

His love for Hillsboro was expressed in his willingness to serve. He was a Selectmen for 11 years (1974-1980, 2006, 2010-2014) and on many other boards including zoning, planning, conservation, town moderator, school board and as Hillsboro Deering School District Moderator for 32 years (1985-2017). He and Phebe were honored as Citizen of the Year in 1998.

Russ is survived by Phebe, his wife of 71 years; their sons Russell and his wife Debby of Beloit WI, Peter and his wife Glorie of Canaan NH and daughter Barbara and her husband Larry of Washington NH; his sisters Doris Falvey of Leicester NC and Jean Goguen of Boscawen NH; 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and friends. He is predeceased by sons Steven (2008), Sam (2011), and brothers Ralph and Frank.

Donations in Russ’s memory may be made to the Hillsboro Food Pantry or the Hillsboro Rescue Squad.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, December 6, 1 – 4, at the American Legion in Hillsboro, NH. Friends are asked to share a memory of Russ.

Services are under the care of Holt-Woodbury Funeral Home. www.holtwoodburyfh.com.