Robert Garrett was born on July 23, 1923 in Hamilton, Ohio, The son of Charles Leroy and Etta Fern (Williams) Garrett. He graduated from Fairfield High School, Fairfield Township (now City of Fairfield) Ohio.
With the onset of World War II, Robert enlisted in the United States Army on December 9, 1942, and served with the 871st Enginers Aviation Battalion, in New Guinea and Luzon, Philippines. He was Honorably Discharged, January 1, 1946.
Robert married Rose Odelia Burer, December 19, 1946; they lived in Fairfield, Ohio, until they moved to Dent, MN in October 1979, upon Robert's retirement from the U.S. Postal Service, where he worked for 33 years. Robert enjoyed fishing in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, so naturally the beautiful lakes of Ottertail County drew the Garretts to the area in the early 1950's where they often rented a cabin at Abraham's Star Lake resort.
On Wednesday morning, March 21, 2012, Robert Garrett passed away at the Sheridan House under the care of Lakeland Hospice in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, at the age of 88.
He is survived by his wife Rose Garrett of Fergus Falls – Veterans' Home; daughter, Elizabeth (Kim) Wallner of Lisbon, ND; son John (Shawn) Garrett of Pelican Rapids; five grandchildren, John Paul (Sara) Whitaker of Dent, Tamara Garrett of Moorhead, Heather (Grant) Ridgeway of Fargo, ND, Genevieve Perry of Detroit Lakes and Jessica (Abe) Harthun of Springfield, Illinois, and twelve great grandchildren.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Etta Garrett, infant son Robert Mark Garrett, grandson Robert Jason Whitaker; two brothers, William and James and six sisters, Mildred, Evelyn, Mary, Martha Gean, Betty and Wilma.
Visitation: 2 hours prior to the service at the Funeral Home
Funeral Service: 3:30 PM, Sunday, March 25, 2012, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Officiating: Father George Michael
The Glende-Nilson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements for Robert Garrett.