Charles W Garrett

Charles “Chuck” William Garrett

1932-2019

McLean, VA

Our beloved husband, father, brother, and grandfather passed away peacefully on December 30, 2019. Age 87, he had in recent years suffered from dementia and was tenderly cared for by his wife, Marianna.

Chuck was born to Theodore and Dorothy Butts Garrett in San Francisco, CA on June 4, 1932. After his parents’ divorce he moved with his mother to Westchester County, NY. Chuck graduated from White Plains High School and then Antioch College in Ohio, where he met Constance (Connie) Ruby. They married in 1955 and had four daughters, finally settling in Bethesda, MD in 1963. Several years after his divorce from Connie he married Marianna Shepard in 1978. They lived briefly in Alexandria and then moved to McLean, VA where they remained until his death. For many years they were involved with Beverley Hills Community United Methodist Church, both serving in various volunteer capacities. Interestingly, Chuck openly upheld his Jewish faith, and upon finding acceptance from the congregation, sometimes offered lessons on Judaism from the pulpit.

Chuck studied civil engineering and architecture at Antioch College. He later received a master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from the Oak Ridge School of Reactor Technology and a second master’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Michigan. His career covered a wide arc of technical and scientific assignments in various government agencies including the National Academy of Engineering, and culminating with a long stint at the Department of Energy, from which he retired in 1994. Throughout his career he had numerous published articles and scientific presentations. Of particular interest, in 1992 he was the sole author of a lengthy research paper titled “On Global Climate Change, Carbon Dioxide, and Fossil Fuel Combustion” in which he predicted many of the detrimental climate effects of greenhouse gases.

In the late 1960s and 70s Chuck volunteered in many organizations advocating for the Deaf and Hard-of Hearing. He served on the Board of Directors of the A.G. Bell Association for the Deaf. Later in the 80s and 90s he volunteered with SHARE (McLean, VA), an organization that provides food to the disadvantaged. He was also a math tutor for elementary school children.

One of his career highlights was his involvement in the 1970s with the Maryland statewide EMS (emergency medical system). During his time as administrator of the U-MD Shock Trauma Unit (Baltimore), med-evac helicopters (which were previously used only in the armed forces) were adapted for civilian use as a critical component in a coordinated network linking hospitals, doctors, and police and fire departments. The integrated model and statewide communication system he designed was later adapted for use across the country and is now standard.

Chuck was a tinkerer, problem-solver and a complete do-it-yourselfer. When Heathkit introduced the first “build-your-own” color TV kits in the 60s he bought a large one and spent the next year assembling it in his free time. His children remember that they could not play ping pong for the duration because that was the building surface for the TV! It eventually was finished and proudly used as the family’s only color TV for the next dozen years. Every visitor to the home was informed, “You know, Chuck built that TV.”

Chuck had a complete set of watch repair tools and one of his hobbies was to repair watches for friends and family. Home appliance and auto repairs were also performed by Chuck. All four daughters were educated on oil changes, flat tires, spark plugs and timing belts! It was indeed rare that he ever had to call a repair professional. When automobiles became computerized and his car had to go to the shop for maintenance and repair it caused him much consternation.

Steam engine trains were one of Chuck’s lifelong passions. Chuck could identify any train or railway in the US and he could tell you all kinds of facts about it. A particular favorite was the Pennsylvania Railroad. Later in life, when he took up bicycling for exercise, some of his favorite routes were on the Rails-to-Trails routes that crossed from Maryland into Pennsylvania. In his retirement he started an annual September tradition, organizing a group ride on these routes. He was especially proud of riding his bicycle 70 miles on his 70th birthday.

Chuck and Marianna greatly enjoyed traveling. They took trips to Great Britain, Scandinavia, and The Netherlands. Chuck loved to drive, and closer to home they made many trips to the Outer Banks, Deep Creek Lake, MD, and Cooperstown, NY. He often took turns “off the beaten track” as he loved to explore new places, always using an old-fashioned paper map!

Chuck was a sports fan. In earlier years he watched the Redskins faithfully, usually with a bowl of Nacho Cheese Doritos at hand. In recent years he loved to watch the Capitals and the Nationals, often staying up late to catch the very end of each game. It is amazing that both teams won their respective championships in the final two years of his life!

Chuck is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Marianna Shepard Garrett, and his former wife Constance Ruby Garrett. Also, he is survived by four daughters, Barbara Garrett-Klotz (Franz), Linda Garrett, Laura Garrett (Daniel O’Shea), and Leila Garrett-Stevens (Michael), and four grandchildren, Tristan and Mallory O’Shea, and William and Owen Stevens. He is also survived by three half-brothers, David, William (Bill), and James (Jim) Kazan. Chuck was predeceased by his mother, Dorothy Kazan, his father Theodore Garrett, and his stepfather Mortimer Kazan.

In lieu of flowers the family wishes memorial contributions be sent to The Chesapeake Bay Foundation or Antioch College.

Memorial service originally planned for 2 pm March 21, 2020 has been postponed and will be rescheduled. Please check back for updates.