he and Galen were classmates in college, “when he’d drawn Galen into his circle and recognized with wonder - not jealousy - but unadulterated wonder - the galaxy-changing potential of the man’s genius”. they met soon after Galen was orphaned.
he “had originally dismissed Galen as the kind of retiring kid who typically would have been bullied or harassed mercilessly, but little by little, he became fascinated by his unique spirit”.
he was Galen’s protector in fights during college.
his “nocturnal carousing” was “legendary in the program”.
he got Galen a job and a free apartment.
when Galen first told him that he had fallen in love with Lyra, he thought it was a joke, and was shocked when they wed. he’s perpetually resentful of Lyra; “the thought of Galen’s genius being undermined by some grasping creature drove him to distraction”.
he personally rescues the Ersos from Seperatists, even though he could have sent someone else instead.
he never remembers Jyn’s name, always calling her “the child”.
he gives Galen his first kyber crystal, possibly the same one Galen carries with him at all times.
when Galen invites him to a family dinner, he arrives “without stormtroopers but in full-dress uniform and with wines for the occasion – both dinner and dessert vintages”.
after Galen escapes from him, he shouts his name twice into the sky, “as if orphaned”.
after they escape, Lyra warns Galen that Orson will never stop looking for him, because “you’re in his blood, crystal research or no. He’s never going to let go of you entirely”.