Robert "Bob" Ellige Garrett
October 6, 1954 ~ December 18, 2016
Robert "Bob" Ellige Garrett, 62, of Vienna, passed away unexpectedly on December 18, 2016. Born in Port Huron, Michigan, on October 6, 1954, Bob had the heart of a sailor and lived a life of adventure by land and by water - before making his home in Northern Virginia.
Bob graduated from the Coast Guard Academy with the Class of '76, earning a bachelor of science in civil engineering and honorably serving his country in the US Coast Guard for 20 years. His most memorable assignments included duty aboard the IRONWOOD in Adak, Alaska; at LORAN Station Yap; aboard COWSLIP and SORREL in Governors Island, New York; and tours at Group Moriches, New York and Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC. He also deployed on the POLAR STAR to Antarctica and the MACKINAW to the Great Lakes. He went on to earn a master's degree in management from University of Maryland University College before retiring in 1996. Following military service, Bob continued working in project management and operations analysis for Coast Guard programs at companies in Connecticut and the D.C. area. His career culminated at the MITRE Corporation, where he was a principal systems engineer.
Bob was known for his tremendous and unconventional sense of humor, his colorful point of view, and his enthusiasm for life. Whether a chef, gardener, builder, or cruciverbalist, Bob always approached everything he did with full commitment. He will be remembered for his devotion to his family and his love of sailing aboard his boat, aptly named "My Way." Frequently found tinkering on My Way, he often talked of his dream to sail her with family and friends to Bermuda.
His loss has left a hole that will be felt by many. He is survived by his loving wife, July, and seven year old daughter Caroline of Vienna; his adult daughters, Tracy and Kelly; his sisters, Kathleen and husband Jack of Arlington, Susan, and Sharon; his brother, Gordon; and a loving extended family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William Ellige Garrett and Bettie Lee Garrett.
Services will be held Thursday, January 5, 2017. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. with a memorial service at 2 p.m. at the Money and King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Avenue West in Vienna, VA. Interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bob Garrett Memorial Fund, benefiting Caroline's future educational expenses.
Online donations can be made at:
https://www.gofundme.com/robert-garrett-memorial-fund
Checks can be sent to:
The Bob Garrett Memorial Fund
Account No: 3078344771
c/o Navy Federal Credit Union
PO Box 3100
Merrifield VA 22119
Online condolences and fond memories of Bob may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Bob graduated from the Coast Guard Academy with the Class of '76, earning a bachelor of science in civil engineering and honorably serving his country in the US Coast Guard for 20 years. His most memorable assignments included duty aboard the IRONWOOD in Adak, Alaska; at LORAN Station Yap; aboard COWSLIP and SORREL in Governors Island, New York; and tours at Group Moriches, New York and Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC. He also deployed on the POLAR STAR to Antarctica and the MACKINAW to the Great Lakes. He went on to earn a master's degree in management from University of Maryland University College before retiring in 1996. Following military service, Bob continued working in project management and operations analysis for Coast Guard programs at companies in Connecticut and the D.C. area. His career culminated at the MITRE Corporation, where he was a principal systems engineer.
Bob was known for his tremendous and unconventional sense of humor, his colorful point of view, and his enthusiasm for life. Whether a chef, gardener, builder, or cruciverbalist, Bob always approached everything he did with full commitment. He will be remembered for his devotion to his family and his love of sailing aboard his boat, aptly named "My Way." Frequently found tinkering on My Way, he often talked of his dream to sail her with family and friends to Bermuda.
His loss has left a hole that will be felt by many. He is survived by his loving wife, July, and seven year old daughter Caroline of Vienna; his adult daughters, Tracy and Kelly; his sisters, Kathleen and husband Jack of Arlington, Susan, and Sharon; his brother, Gordon; and a loving extended family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William Ellige Garrett and Bettie Lee Garrett.
Services will be held Thursday, January 5, 2017. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. with a memorial service at 2 p.m. at the Money and King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Avenue West in Vienna, VA. Interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bob Garrett Memorial Fund, benefiting Caroline's future educational expenses.
Online donations can be made at:
https://www.gofundme.com/robert-garrett-memorial-fund
Checks can be sent to:
The Bob Garrett Memorial Fund
Account No: 3078344771
c/o Navy Federal Credit Union
PO Box 3100
Merrifield VA 22119
Online condolences and fond memories of Bob may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
My heart and deepest sympathies go out to Bob’s family and loved ones. He was a delight to work with, and MITRE won’t be the same without him. We miss him already…
Anna and my sincerest condolences July, Caroline, Kelly, Tracy and Kathy. Bob was a good comrade and friend – we will all miss him greatly. “Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden, Einen bessern findst du nit. Die Trommel schlug zum Streite, Er ging an meiner Seite In gleichem Schritt und Tritt.” Johann Ludwig Uhland, 1809
I sat next to Bob on the Thursday before his passing as he briefed me and others from our project on work he had done several years ago. He was, as always, engaged, informative, deeply knowledgeable and a great colleague. I knew and worked with Bob for several years and will miss him; his passing is a deep loss for his work family, too.
In the short time that I’ve known Bob, I’ve been inspired by his passion and commitment to the mission. I will always remember him for his tenacity.
Bob will be sorely missed by his friends at MITRE. He was instrumental at getting me on with the company and I will be forever grateful.
Even though we never left shore, Ive always considered Bob a sailing-buddy. I would stop in his office and hed give me the status of his boat. Ill miss our cheerful, seafaring conversations.
Bob, thanks for the all the fun times at MITRE. Either laughing over a story at the lunch table or wondering who would actually stay in the fairway during company golf outings. Your hard work and dedication will never be forgotten. You will be missed! Our prayers go out to you and your family.
Please accept my sincerest condolences on your loss.
Fair winds and following seas.
I am very sorry to hear that Bob passed away. As a fellow career Coast Guardsman we had many conversions about the Coast Guard, and also about Bob major boat/ refitting projects. I know you all miss him greatly. To me he was a solid and enjoyable individual who always made time for a fellow sailor. I will miss him. Allen Boetig, USCGA 70, and MITRE Colleague.
I’m so sorry to here of the passing of Bob. I worked with him at MITRE several years ago and really enjoyed getting to know him. He was always friendly and of course told good stories. He will be missed.
I will sorely miss Bob’s humor, insights, and friendship. It was a privilege working with someone so dedicated and mission focused. My condolences to July, Caroline, Kelly, Tracy, and Kathy.
From now on, Bob will have fair winds and a following sea. Semper Paratus Semper Fidelis
My most sincerest condolences to the family.
For the last few years, my office was located next door to Bobs at MITRE. I miss our hallway chats already Bob was a walking encyclopedia for all things related to the sea, and he had a knack for knowing just how to explain nautical topics to lifelong land dwellers. My sincerest condolences.
I enjoyed Bob’s sense of humor, his passion for the mission, and his delight in life. He talked proudly of his family and his boat. He will leave a hole in the Mitre Homeland Security Center. My best wishes for his family in this sad time. Barbara
I enjoyed Bob’s sense of humor, his passion for the mission, and his delight in life. He talked proudly of his family and his boat. He will leave a hole in the Mitre Homeland Security Center. My best wishes for his family in this sad time. Barbara
I worked with Bob briefly on a project at MITRE. I fondly remember our conversations about our children. Bob loved his family so much and was so very proud of his kids. Know that his love for you all shined through even in his working hours. My deepest condolences.
My heart goes out to Bobs family and his children. I would consider my best times at MITRE to involve working with Bob and I worked on multiple projects with him in which he was the project lead. He really had a great sense of humor and could always make light of any situation no matter what we were going through. I will miss his friendship, the laughs we had together, and his many stories he told from all of his time at sea. An 19th century New England writer wrote It is not the ship so much as the skillful sailing that assures the prosperous voyage. I think quote relates to many aspects of Bobs life that led to successful careers in the Coast Guard and at MITRE, which had a positive impact on many peoples lives.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Garrett family. It was a joy to work in the presence of Bob. I will never forget the warmth his smile brought to me every morning as I would pass him by in the corridors of MITRE.
Please allow me to extend my deepest sympathies to July and family. Cherish the memories and good times you have had to keep Bob’s memory alive forever.
Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again for home. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness or farewell, When I embark; For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crost the bar. –Tennyson Hope you have Fair Winds and Following Seas Bob. We would like to express our deepest sympathies to July, Caroline, Tracy, Kelly, Sharon, Susan and Kathy.
Bob’s office was just across the hall and I always enjoyed our chats and his friendly greetings. I kidded him about looking so young after shaving his mustache that he would be expected to work a lot longer. He will really be missed at MITRE.
My sincere condolences for your loss. Although I did not work closely with Bob, he was a valued co-worker. May the LORD give you the peace that surpasses all understanding, and bless you and keep you.
My condolences to Bob’s family. Bob was a respected colleague of mine at MITRE. We worked on several projects together and traveled several times to visit various customers. His humor, insights, and knowledge will be missed dearly. I always pay my respects to a deceased friend by taking an aspect of how they lived their life and integrate it into my own. From Bob, I will attempt to be more determined in all things that I do, while doing so with a sense of humor and positive attitude.
Our deepest condolences to July and Caroline and all of Bob’s family. May God bless all of you during this difficult time. Love, the Jerdee Family
Our deepest sympathies to July and Caroline as they grieve Bob’s passing. Bob always enjoyed life to the fullest, but adored his family. Rest in peace CGA classmate!
My sincere condolences July and your beautiful daughter for your loss. God Bless you are in my thoughts Love Betty xxx
My sincere condolences for your loss. I’ve always enjoyed working with Bob at MITRE. His sense of humor, devotion to the Coast Guard, and his people-oriented management style made him a valued program manager. We all have learned a lot from Bob. He will be missed.
My deepest sympathy for your loss, July. Bob was always bigger than life, and I remember him fondly.
July and family – I am so profoundly sorry for your loss. I met Bob about 25 years ago thru the Coast Guard, and just had the opportunity to catch up with him a couple weeks ago after losing touch. He was so incredibly proud of his family and his life. Showed me lots of photos and filled me in on his new adventures in parenting. It was a blessing to see him in such a good place. May your memories comfort you and bring you strength. Bob was truely one of the good guys,
My deepest sympathy to Bob’s family–you are in my prayers. Bob was a breath of fresh air to work with at MITRE–always wanting to do the right thing, while still keeping a sense of humor. Gone too soon–