DURHAM, N.C. — Thomas Muir Gallie, Jr., 94, died on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, at The Forest at Duke in Durham, N.C.

Tom enjoyed sailing on Kezar Lake in Center Lovell.

He was born on Aug. 25, 1925, in New York City to Thomas Muir Gallie and Mavis Chubb Gallie.

Tom grew up in Riverdale, N.Y., where he attended the Fieldston School. After graduating from The Lawrenceville School, he attended Harvard University (A.B. Engineering Science and Applied Physics), the University of Texas (M.A. Applied Mathematics) and Rice University (Ph.D. Mathematics). While pursuing higher education, he also married his first wife Mary Cordts Gallie, who predeceased him in 1988, and had four children (Thom Gallie, Charlie Gallie, Ann Gallie Beverage and Beth Gallie).

After earning his Ph.D., he moved to Durham to teach at Duke University, ultimately becoming a Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science. Perhaps he will be best known for writing the grant to purchase the first computer at Duke University and as a founder of the Computer Science Department.

Despite his many professional accomplishments, friends will remember him for his good nature. His children will remember him for making them breakfast each morning, taking them to Duke sporting events, generally setting the bar high, and throughout their lives being generous to a fault.

Besides sports, Tom’s interests included reading, the stock market, travel (including two sabbaticals in Switzerland) and dogs. Tom was also extraordinarily optimistic about the world’s future.

Tom was predeceased by his brother, Bud Gallie; and his grandson.

Tom is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Button Gallie of Durham; sons, Charlie Gallie and Thomas Gallie III; daughters, Elizabeth Gallie and Ann Beverage; stepdaughter, Faith Bockelman; six grandchildren; his sister, Rosalind Tufts of Northfield, Mass.; and many nephews and nieces and their families.

A family gathering will be held next summer in Center Lovell to celebrate his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests performing an act of kindness in Tom’s memory.

Condolences may be left on Tom’s online guest book at www.hudsonfuneralhome.com