*Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.

After a three-year courageous battle with Pancreatic cancer, our "Unicorn" Richard Allen Galstad died at peace with his family by his side on May 25, 2024.

Rick was born on July 2, 1960, in LaCrosse, WI.  His early childhood was spent in Roseau MN, where he developed his passion for the outdoors. In the 6th grade, his family moved to East Grand Forks MN where Rick's love of hockey grew and where many of his life-long friendships were formed. He graduated in the class they called "'78 the Great!  Following graduation one of his first jobs was as an apprentice bricklayer, where the old pros took him under their wings.  He took his mentors' advice to go to college and moved to Tyler, TX.  But more adventures awaited Rick – he moved to San Diego, CA and got his PADI Scuba Instructor license eventually teaching Scuba Diving in the Virgin Islands.  Although having fun in the sun, Rick turned 25 and as he said, "panicked wanting to go back to school and get a new career and have a family". Soon after, Rick met and certified a chiropractor in scuba diving who introduced Rick to the profession that would become his calling. He packed up his bags, caught a job on a ship traveling up the east coast, and enrolled in Pre-Chiropractic studies at UMass Boston. In the meantime, some close friends felt they had a perfect match for him but of course she lived in Minneapolis, MN. After a two-month whirlwind romance, he took the leap and moved to be with Cathy Lunak and they married on September 1, 1988.  He continued his studies at University of MN and then attended NWCC, graduating in 1992.  They decided to open a practice closer to home and moved to East Grand Forks, MN and established Galstad Chiropractic in 1993.

He was an awesome husband, dad, Papa, brother, uncle and friend.  Family came first.  Always.  He was a fun loving, caring and involved father who led by example.  His girls meant everything to him.

He loved being a chiropractor and was dedicated to helping all his patients.  He truly enjoyed listening to each patient's story and spending time getting to know them as well as treating them.

Rick was passionate about anything outdoors, especially hunting Beltrami Forest with his dog Rags. He really loved his "own little slice of heaven" at Hayes Lake, where he hunted annually for the big buck. His other loves included biking adventures and traveling, the ocean and sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.  He once even swam with a humpback whale and her calf!

He had a love/hate relationship with golf but stuck with it mostly because he enjoyed the camaraderie of Men's Leagues.

Rick's life, his integrity and moral character, and famous dance moves, will forever be remembered  by his wife, Cathy (Lunak); his daughters, Karli Storbakken (Kyle, Willow, Wells); Marina Schaefer (Tyler, Tristan); Madison Vierling (Zach, Reese); siblings, Ron (Stacey) Galstad; Randy (Cathy) Galstad, Rhonda (Richie) Mosher, Lynne (Chris) Eldred; John (Kim) Schacher;  many nieces and nephews; and a special family, Keeley Useldinger  (Jake, Kennedy, Carter).

Rick was preceded in death by his father and his wife, Irvin/Jane Galstad; his mother and her husband, Darlene/Marv Thiesfeld; his infant sister Linda Sue.

We would like to thank Dr. Vegunta and Staff at Roger Maris Cancer Center and Dr. Peterson and Staff at Sanford in Grand Forks, and Hospice RRV.

A Celebration of Life: Will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the Gorecki Alumni Center.  Located on the campus of the University of North Dakota, 3501 University Avenue Grand Forks, ND 58203.
Private Burial Resurrection Cemetery, East Grand Forks, MN.

*In memory - and in celebration, of someone who made this world a brighter and more beautiful place.

*Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.

*I hope I see you in my dreams tonight, healthy happy and content in your new world.

*The sky looks suddenly different when you have somebody you love up there.