Vladimir Galchev

Vladimir Ivanov Galchev died Thursday, December 7, 2023 surrounded by family. He was born on May 26, 1952 in Sofia, Bulgaria, the son of Ivan Galchev and Magdalena Galcheva. Raised in Sofia, he graduated high school in 1970 and received his Master of Chemistry from Sofia University in 1977.

Vladimir started his career at the Institute of Soil Science “Nikola Poushkarov” in Sofia. Several years into his scientific career, he decided to join the foreign service which ultimately led to him being posted as a scientific advisor at the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington DC starting in 1988. After this posting, his wife’s career led the whole family to move to Athens, Georgia, where Vania became a post-doc at the University. Vladimir and Vania met in college and married in Sofia on July 31, 1977. The move to Georgia ultimately resulted in the family permanently relocating and residing in the USA. Vladimir also started working at the University in the laboratory of Dr. Erickson. The family relocated to Ann Arbor in 1994 and at that time both Vania and Vladimir worked and did research at the University of Michigan. While in Ann Arbor, Vladimir moved several times back and forth between the University and several start-ups. For example, he worked at The Mammastatin Research Institute developing novel markers to detect breast cancer, and Genomic Solutions developing targeted gene expression tools and later acquired by Harvard Bioscience. He later moved back to the university and remained there until the end of his career.

Vladimir's passions were his family, travel, music, and an unlimited curiosity.

He is survived by his wife Vania, his son Tzeno, his daughter-in-law Karina and granddaughter Alexandra, his sister Zoya and the families of his two nieces.

A celebration of Vladimir's life will be held Sunday, December 10, 2023 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 S 4th Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104.

The Celebration of Vladimir's life will be Live Streamed via the following link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3fhU34owIc.

A luncheon will immediately follow at Stone Chalet Bed and Breakfast Inn and Event Center, 1917 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.