A Life That Echoed: Remembering Scott Gale ’19

If you knew my friend Scott Gale, you know the depth of his unwavering love for J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” and how he truly embodied Gandalf’s words. Throughout his life and even in his death, Scott was deliberate in deciding how to invest each moment of time given to him on this Earth. 

Soaking up and relishing every ounce of his big, bold life, Scott was a force. A disruptor. He encapsulated ambition, drive and inspired every soul he met to not only challenge themselves but to think beyond our self-imposed limitations. Scott made things happen. He was a connector. 

From the moment you were in his orbit you felt this gravitational, magnetic pull. I felt it the day we were brought together. I felt it the day I had to say goodbye. 

Scott and I met the summer after I had earned my Executive MBA, a few years after he earned his. Already engrained in the fabric of Rice Business, Scott had signed on to be a host for the Rice Business podcast, “Owl Have You Know,” and was looking for a co-host to join him. He shared a text blast in a Rice Business chat, not about the podcast specifically, but regarding some “voiceover work.” I suspect he didn’t want to scare anyone off because if he had said “podcast host,” there’s a 100% chance I would have never responded. But I did respond, which led us to a lunch. In the first three minutes of that three-hour lunch, I knew I had just made a friend for life. 

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We talked about everything that afternoon. So much in common. So many coincidences. Our paths to Rice were different, but our shared motivation — to start something new, to take a risk — connected us. Little did we know our decision was going to change the trajectory of our lives. Rice was the catalyst that brought us together and gave me the gift of this beautiful, unexpected friendship. 

Scott told me about the love of his life, his beautiful wife, Nicole, and his four precious children. About his mom, JoAnna, who was now going back to school to earn the degree she had put on hold to raise her children. She was going to graduate in just a few months, and Scott was so proud he would be there to watch her walk across that stage. I felt like I had known him, and would know him, forever. 

I mentioned my broadcasting background and the fact that I had never hosted (or honestly listened to) a podcast. Looking me straight in the eye, he replied in his booming voice, with a smile, “Life’s about taking risks. And I think you have probably taken more than a few.” His assumption led me to laugh. “I hope I make you proud,” I said. He smiled back, “You already have. You’re sitting here with me, aren’t you? And we get to do something super cool together.” 

And … we did. 

“I do need to tell you something though, since we are friends now,” he paused. “I have Stage IV colon cancer. Not many know, and I would prefer it that way.” My body grew numb. All the air in my lungs escaped. I took a moment and just as my mouth started to open to speak, he stopped me. “I know this is a lot to drop on you, and if you don’t want to do this podcasting thing with me, that’s okay. I understand.” 

The person sitting in front of me, beaming with such life and overflowing with energy is going to beat this. He had to. 

Scott was engrained in ecosystems, not just at Rice Business or in Houston, but on a global scale. From launching Halliburton Labs, to being the founder of the Jones Student Association for Executives at Rice Business, to serving on its Alumni Association Board and the Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator. Scott was a titan, remarkable in every way. A mentor, adviser and investor, Scott had this insatiable love for innovation. 

Though I met Scott at the end of his life, he changed the rest of mine. His struggles didn’t define him. He defined himself. He did things on his terms. In his time. And when the time came for him to step away, when he knew his time was coming to an end, he left us with a final powerful inspiring message of optimism and hope, which could have come from the words of Tolkien. 

“Now go out and live a life that echoes! Onward!” 

I will do my best, my friend. I hope I make you proud.

Hear more about Gale's lasting impact on our school in a special tribute episode of our podcast: