Robert Morris Garrett

Robert (Bob) M. Garrett (88) died at home September 26, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Donna, of Sun City West, Arizona, five children: Chris Tunbridge of TX, Stephen (Lisa) of VA; Jeffrey (Elaine) of NM; Jill (Kipp) Sassaman of TN, James (April) of SC, his brother John of IL, 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He is predeceased by his brothers and sisters: George Garrett of ME, Margaret McFarland of NY, James Garrett of AZ and Kathryn Robbins of PA.

Bob was born October 19, 1935 in Salamanca, New York, the youngest of six children of George and Kathryn Gargin Garrett. He graduated from Salamanca High School in 1953. He proudly served in the U. S. Marine Corps from 1953 to 1956. Bob graduated in 1959 from Tri State University, Angola, Indiana with a BS in Civil Engineering. He and his wife Donna were married September 14, 1957 in Salamanca, NY.

Bob had a long career in civil and traffic engineering and association management. For 27 years, before his retirement in 1998, he was the first Executive Director of the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) now headquartered in Fredericksburg, Virginia. During that time, he directed the growth of ATSSA from a small association with a one-person staff to the largest and most influential, international association representing the traffic control industry.

After retirement, he continued to be active in the industry serving as Executive Secretary of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD), which is the organization that sets national standards for all traffic control devices.

After retirement in 1998, Bob and Donna moved to Sun City West, Arizona. In 2001 they moved to Happy Trails RV Resort in Surprise, Arizona and then, in 2011, moved back to Sun City West.

Bob and his family were converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1973 and he and Donna and their children were sealed for time and eternity January 18, 1975 in the Washington, D. C. Temple. He served in many church leadership positions including being the first Bishop of the Sun City West Ward. They also served an 18-month mission for the church at the Mesa, Arizona Regional Family History Center and, in 2014, were called to serve as Directors of the Surprise North Stake Family History Center.

Bob considered his greatest achievement to be his children and grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held October 4, 2024 with Military Honors at 11:30 am at the LDS chapel: 14878 N. Verde Vista Dr, Surprise AZ 85388.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the following organization: www.honorflightaz.org