Birth date: Apr 24, 1917 Death date: Feb 8, 2009
Robert Tompkins Garnett, 91 of Fayetteville, AR passed away Sunday, February 8, 2009 in Fayetteville. He was born April 24, 1917 in Greybull, WY to Robert Christopher Tompkins Garnett and Edith (Higenbotham) Garnett. He was a Li Read Obituary
Our prayers are with you.
We are deeply saddened to learn of Bob's passing. Our sympathy and prayers are with you Bruce, and all of your family. May your grief be tempered by the many memories you will keep and share. And may your sorrow be softened by the hope we have shared with Bob for the resurrection to come.
My brother-in-law, Bob, has always been a big brother figure in our lives. Twenty years ago, I took up writing and joined a Bellevue, Washington critique group. I would send articles, poems and stories to Bob to critique. He helped a lot. He encouraged me to continue to write and sent me a monetary love gift to help with publication.
He was an officer and a gentleman at all times. Bob showed a great deal of patience in his own life setting a good example to others following his footsteps.
Bob enjoyed sharing conversation around the dinner table. I will miss his thoughtfulness and his frequent welcome visits.
REMBERING AND MOURNING BOB---by Cy Garnett
BOB was born in Greybull, Wyoming, east of Yellowstone Park near the banks of the Little Big Horn River. He was the middle of 3 sons, born to pioneers opening up the Wyoming territory. It was a stark life, but an adventurous one. He was born the year World War I ended. It was prior to Rural Electrification and it was wood stoves and kerosene lanterns for lighting.
He graduated from Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa where he met Louise. It was the depth of the Great depression, although no one realized it at the time. One of our great enjoyments with Bob was during summer vacation when he came home from college and would share the happenings of the year in class and the fraternity house. He sat at the head of a long table and fascinated and charmed us with all that had happened. Chores were late getting done that day. He sold honey to all the sororities where he was often referred to as the Honey Boy earning part of his college expenses.
During the time Bob and Louise lived in Memphis and later at BTV they made many trips to Seattle to visit Cy and Carol and enjoy vacations with us. Our trips to Canada, the World?s Fair, and Glacier National Park and Lake Louise in a motor home were the most wonderful and they seemed to be most enjoyed.
We remember Bob this day for the warm compassion he brought to our dry and thirsty land. Most memorable of these gifts, in this world, to me, was his readiness to give constant loving encouragement to all the lives he touched. He was our gift for a little while, and now he is gone.
We are left and ask who will replace the compassion Bob lavished on us all?
When ever Bob would come to Seattle to visit his brother Cy and Cy's wife Carol, it was a joy to visit with him. I always enjoyed talking to him and seeing him. I was always amazed to see him flying to Seattle and walking up the A concourse at SeaTac without a cane at the age of 89. I enjoyed his sense of humor and good memory. He set a fantastic example in sharing in God?s word and service for many years. I will miss his visits.
We send our Love and sympathy to the Garnett Family at this difficult time. We hope you find comfort in all the wonderful lifetime of memories.
Love, Craig and Tracy Keaton
Mr. Garnett was a gentle man and a gentleman. I will miss him.
Bruce and Marlo, my condolences to you.
Love, Anita
Bob Garnett was one of the finest men I have ever met. He always had a sweet smile for me and encouraged me in many ways. Just a couple weeks ago I sat in a pew with Bob and enjoyed talking to him so much. I admired his work with Cane Hill church, his knowledge and interest in the Bible. He will be greatly missed by me and many others who had the privilege of knowing him. I wish his family peace in this time and pride in such a wonderful person. I am sure that Bob is at this moment with God in Heaven.
When my wife and I moved from the Harvard University campus, I thought I would be teaching the peole of Arkansas quite a bit more than ever they could teach me. I was wrong. Through the living example of Bob Garnett, at the Presbyterian Men's Prayer Breakfast every Wednesday, and on many Sunday mornings at at Adult Sunday School, I learned how to be a better man, to be someone who was knowledgeable but not too flashy about it, from Bob, who was as smart as anyone at that table, but who knew how to handle it with modesty. I especially learned how to grow old with class and grace from Bob. I will miss him; the Men's Prayer Breakfast will miss him; Sunday School will miss him; but I know that he did not miss the mark on how to conduct a well-lived life. Save me a place at the breakfast table on Wednesdays in Heaven, Bob. (I'll arrive late as usual.)
