Don was my graduate program advisor for the year 1998-2000. Being new to American education system, he guided me through all the aspects a graduate program. I truly enjoyed the fish fry that we had at his house. I still remember his orchid collection. He was great personality and a treasure trove of knowledge. I will miss you Don.

I just learned of Don's death.  I am so very sorry for your loss...and ours.  As I knew Don, it was his big smile that always came through.  I worked with him on Extension projects and reports.  But mostly, I was just please to see him in our building and the several floors that separated our offices could just disappear.  I will miss him, we will miss him in the Natural Resources Building and I can't imagine how much you will miss him.  He was a good, kind person.

Don was one of those colleagues who introduced me to what Cooperative Extension is and can be. I'll always be grateful to him, Glenn and Shari for their early tutelage (even though they may regret it today!).

Don was a great colleague. I hated giving up teaching ichthyology, but he had my trust to do it well in his own way. He was too kind to tell me he didn't need my lecture notes as I left them on his desk.

Charlie, your eulogy said so many things we all knew about your father, and had us laughing and crying at once. It also told us how lucky he was to have you for a son.

Kris, Emily and Charlie, please know that our thoughts are prayers are with you now and in the challenging days ahead.  May God bless you with the peace that surrounds Don.

We are very sorry for your loss. We send our thoughts and prayers to the Garling family. Don and Kris are very special friends.

Ivan Orlic and family

Uncle Don was a wonderful person. The way he would make all the kids laugh even when they were mad or sad. I always new him as Uncle Monkey. a caring man that gave all the kids in the family hope. Hope that no madder what you look like or what you acted like you could find your way in life. thank you UNCLE MONKEY for ever thing you have done and showed me....will always love the great UNCLE MONKEY.

As Chairman of the Great Lakes Judging Center for the AOS, Don was my initial contact when I sought to be a student judge a little over a year ago.  His words of encouragement and support meant more than he knew.  It was soon after, that Don discovered what was to be yet another health challenge for him.  I will always remember his positive nature and optimism and the courage he always showed.  I wish there had been more time to know him even better.  My sincere condolences to Kris and the rest of his family.  He will be missed.

When I worked for the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Don was one of my go to guys for information.  I was always amazed by his knowledge and his ability to bring it down to my level so I could understand.  Yet he never made me feel stupid, somehow he made me feel like we were equals.  Don, you will be missed but I am glad I had the chance to know you.

We will miss Don. He was my Master's advisor but he was also a friend and mentor. I always admired how he loved life, his family, his students, and his passions. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dear Garling Family,
Although I only saw Don once in a while during the two years we worked in the FW department, he ALWAYS had a smile on his face and such a pleasant and positive demeanor each time we spoke. He had a way of touching a life even if only with brief encounters. I pray that God will hold you all gently in His loving and comforting arms and carry you through each day that lies ahead!!
Marcia Baar

Dear Garling family, 
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult and sad time. 3 generations in our family adored Don for more than a couple of decades. We will all miss him dearly.
Love, 
Renate, Eugenia, Julio, Sean, Dillon

Don had a major impact on my life.  He was my teacher, mentor, advisor, but most importantly, a true friend.  He was my master's advisor and served on my PhD committee while I was at Purdue.  He gladly gave of his time to drive to West Lafayette to take part in my committee meetings because he was always willing to give freely.  When I got married in 2000, Don served as one of my groomsmen.  

Don meant so much to so many people.  Whenever we were together, he always told me about how much his family meant to him.  He was an excellent friend and family man.  To Kris, Emily and Charlie, I really know your pain and loss right now.  My condolences.  Don will be missed.  The best thing I can say about Don is he was a true friend.

Dr. Garling was always my go to person for answering pond and aquatic weed questions.  Most notable in my memory was the day Don and I took the City of Clare officials on a boat ride out on Shamrock Lake to discuss issues of concern and options.  Don was always there to help.  On numerous occasions (more than I could count or remember), I just hung my bag of aquatic weeds on his door handle for identification when I was on campus after hours.  The next day, I could always count on Don having an analysis in my e-mail concerning the situation and what to do.  My thoughts and prayers are with the Dr. Don Garling family.

Sometimes you just know a person anointed with something that when shared betters the lives of everyone.  Don was one of those people.

He lived his whole life against all odds...but then Don was a winner!  My heart goes out to his family and loved ones at this time.

Pete Porciello

I fondly cherish my memories of Don and feel honored to have spent time in your family through so many holidays and for so many years.  I grieve with you and mourn his passing.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of grief.  When I first came to Michigan in early 2002 I met Don at MSU and was impressed with his dedication and caring, and his love of life.

I was a grad student in Don's program, and his impact on my career development and career were huge.  He was my mentor and my friend.  Not only did he teach me about fish, but I also learned how to approach life, he will be missed by all of us.  As I look through this guest book I can see his influence reaches far and wide across the country.  Not too long ago I found myself at a fish station in northern Idaho discussing Spartan basketball and Garling's Aquaculture class with four other MSU grads.  He was pretty amazing, so smile when you think of him (I think he would like that).

My thoughts and prayer are with the Garling Family during this time of loss.  Don was good friend and an exceptional extension specialist.  He always there to assist me with a 4-H project or to educate landowners on proper pond management.  He made learning fun.  We will miss him.

I worked with Dr. Garling in Fisheries & Wildlife many years ago and remember fondly his humor and kind nature!  My thoughts, prayers and sympathy to the Garling family and friends! Kathy F.

Everyone should be so lucky and blessed to have someone like Don in their family. I haven't known Don for very long, but as a beginning MSU Extension Educator, Don was so warm and welcoming of me, and didn't hold it against me that I needed to do some catch-up on water related topics including ponds. He was always so quick to help answer questions that I received, and he was an absolutely wonderful speaker! I admire the way he was always so positive, despite all that he went through. He will be missed greatly. Thinking of Don and his family through this difficult time. Bindu Bhakta, MSU Extension in Oakland County.

Don was more than a great and giving mentor to so many students.  He was truly a career builder for many including myself.  My career began when I mentioned a simple fish nutritional problem noticed in a species of tropical fish.  That mention was enough for Don to see the seed for my career.  Without him noticing that, not sure where I would be today!  I'm sure Don did this for so many other students as well.  We owe him so much!  Will be missed greatly.

It was always a pleasure to see him in our store. Michael Hull, Bagel Haul Deli Haslett

Kris,

Sometimes the loss is so great, there are no words...
We have known each other since you and Don joined GLOS in 1988 -- how many miles and how many orchid shows do you suppose Don and I traveled together since he started the judging program way back in 1992!?

Don was my "go-to" guy whenever I needed help in my greenhouse or in my house.  I count him among a handful of my closest friends.

All the best to you and your family in this awful time.

Much love,
Doris

Don served on my guidance committee for my M.S. degree in Horticulture.  His knowledge of orchid cultivation was truly amazing.  I will always remember his kindness, mentorship, and humor.  I am so sorry for your loss.  Life is too short. MSU '05 '09.

Kris,
There are no words I can say to ease your
sadness and loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.  I'am here for you if you ever need anything.
Love,
Beth

Don's presence in the Michigan orchid world will be greatly missed. 

M. Jade Vander Velde
Grand Valley Orchid Society
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Dear Kris,
I'm so sorry for your loss.  You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Warmly,
Teresa Mayes

Don will always be remembered for his ready smile, his gracious manner, his patience, and his wonderful talent to work with people of all abilities.  It was a real joy to work with Don when we participated in lake or pond management programs in all corners of Michigan. He was a true scholar and educator who made Michigan a better place and enriched every life he touched.

Dr. Garling was a great teacher and a better friend.  I will miss the times drinking good beer and target practicing with him.  He had a way of making the worst of situations seem mild. He always had an interesting story to share, and that I will miss.  This hunting season I will be sure to harvest a deer and drink an Imperial Russian Stout in his honor, which won't be as good as his home brew.  I wish him and his family only the best.

Don's work is renown throughout MSU Extension.  His work has and will continue to make a difference in the lives of Michigan residents.  Thank you to his family for sharing him with us through the years.  

Stan Moore, Antrim County MSU Extension

Kris,
Kathy and I are so sorry for your loss. Will be praying for you and your family.
We will be here for you.

He always smiled at me when I saw him in the halls at MSU when I was a student.  Dr. Garling was a great person and will be greatly missed.

I had Dr. Garling as a professor when I was at MSU working on my Master's  degree.  What I remember most was his kind and gentle nature, which made me feel very comfortable around him.  I also remember that he was particularly fond of carp, and even grilled it for us one time when he had some students over to his house.  He also insisted that we sample his homemade beer! What an asset he was to the department - I know he will be missed.

I was Don's first graduate student at Michigan State having moved with him from Virginia PolyTech.  We built the lab together, worked on his house together and shared many memorable moments including my most cherished when he and his family came all the way to Hawaii to witness my marriage. I am honored to call him my mentor, my colleague, and especially my friend. His guidance, inspiration, and love for his work and his students helped develop me into the individual I am today. I owe so much of my career and personal growth and development to Don and I will be forever grateful. Don will be sorely missed by all who came in contact with the wonderful spirit that he was and continues to be. I am comforted in the knowledge that his spirit, his soul, his energy, continues to be alive in God, and that one day I will be blessed again to be in his presence in another life.  Thank you Don for all that you gave and meant to me. Safe journey and Aloha 'oe my friend! Until we meet again!

Kris, 
May you find comfort in your faith, family and friends during this most difficult time.  You and your beautiful family are in our thoughts and prayers.  Fondly~

Dear Kris, 
I am sorry for your loss. May you and your family find comfort in the Lord in this your time of need.

Dear Kris

While I am out of town and will not be able to attend the funeral, I will be thinking of you and your family. 

While I have known you for only a short time, it has been a precious time for me. Don will be dearly missed by all of us.

With all my love
Jane

To Kris, Charlie, Emily and the entire family, Our deepest condolences and prayers. Kim and I will always cherish memories of Don, and I especially will cherish his unconditional friendship of over 20+ years. Don will continue to hold a special place in my heart and I will miss him dearly. His sense of humor entwined with love, compassion and endless life knowledge and experience made this man extra special. With much love and friendship, Kim and Cindy Brewbaker

Don Garling was a gentle soul with tremendous interest in many things including orchids.  I have known Don for almost 20 years as part of the North Central Regional Aquauclture Center Research Committee.  He was alway happy to share ideas and information especially over a good brew.  He invited me to see his orchids some years ago and it was impressive to see the apparatus and care that he gave his orchids.
He will be truly missed and my heart aches for everyone that knew him.
Rosalie (Roz) Schnick (La Crosse, WI)

Don was my friend, neighbor, and a Spartan who did, indeed, advance knowledge and transform lives. From him, education "flowered" and his impact on students and on his academic area will be felt for many decades to come. He inspired in and out of the classroom and his living labs. A very nice and very kind man for whom family meant it all. Terry Denbow

Don was a regular guest lecturer in one of my classes at MSU. What I remember most about Don, and the reason why I will miss him so much, is his unbridled enthusiasm as he shared his vast knowledge of pond and lake management with undergraduate students. He always, always had a smile on his face and willingly found ways to help me out with my class even when it wasn't convenient for him to do so. What a kind, sharing person and exuberant teacher!

I never had the pleasure of having Dr. Garling as an instructor but met him whenever he would bring students up to the Baldwin Rearing Station where I was the managing fish culturist.  His insites into fish culture will be missed.
Dennis Mulka, MDNRE, Wolf Lake SFH

When I first joined the orchid society some years ago, Don was one of the first people I came to know as a passionate orchidist and advocate of all things orchid. With his booming voice and years of experience, he was always there to help persons, like me, with their questions and problems. Although his physical presence may be gone, his influence will certainly continue on.
My thoughts and sympathy to the Garlings, especially Kris.

I was a student of Dr. Garling and always enjoyed his sense of humor. I often tell others the story of how he intended to become a street beggar in Indonesia after he retired to capitalize on his spinal bifida. He was a great teacher and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

I was fortunate to have Dr Garling as a teacher and a friend.  I learned much from him and will miss him dearly.

Here is what I remember from my years as one of Don's graduate students: orchids; funny/bad jokes; Saturn cars; Kris, "Chuckles" & Emily; homemade licorice stout & cherry beer; honest information about living with spina bifida and pride in surviving it; turnips eaten like apples; phenomenal memory for biochemistry trivia; teetering piles in a cramped 'n gassy office; lookins peepers; a sincere welcome into a formerly male-only lab; generous sharing of his computer; moving yards of pea gravel into the future greenhouse site; a polite tolerance of violets.  I can remember all that even though I left MSU way back in 1997 because it was a true pleasure to know Don and work with him for so many years.

Don's son Charles is my best friend. Years ago Don and Kris took me into there home to live temporarily. They took me in and treated me like one of their own and their family became extended family to me. Don is a father figure to me and a respected friend. I love you Garling family. You are in my prayers.  God bless...

I was fortunate to be invited to Don's classes to do a couple of guest lectures. He was always very easy-going and had given me some really good suggestions on graduate studies. Whenever thinking of Don, I feel warmth in my heart. 

My best wishes,

As a highschool and college clasmate of Don and Kris, my thoughts and prayers go to the family he left behind.  Although not often near each other, we managed to stay in touch over the years. Don was  warm, caring person with a great sense of humor.  He will be missed.  Alter '67; UD '71

Dr. Garling was my first professor in wildlife biology when I was just starting out at MSU. After that class, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Garling family, I am so sorry for your loss.

As a student in Don's first aquaculture class at MSU, I found him to be a great teacher and likable individual.  My thoughts and prayers to family and friends.

To the entire Garling family.

I will miss Don very much though probably not as much as you will. He was a joy to have as a friend, confidante, and all round great person.

My thoughts, wishes, and prayers are with you as you go through this difficult time.

Love
Leslie

Don was a wonderful, humorous and caring person who welcomed me warmly as a new faculty member in Fisheries and Wildlife. We shared the same office hallway suite for a number of years and I always looked forward to him sticking his head in my office to give me an update on his kids, work or flowers. We also shared status as Mississippi State alums. Blessings to all of Don's family and friends. I will always remember Don warmly.

Geoffrey Habron

I knew of him long before I met him.  He was one of the first people to cross the proverbial thermal barrier.  At the time Don completed his Ph.D., scientists with warmwater fish experience were generally not eligible for jobs with coldwater species and vice versa.  He clearly led the revolution and the breakdown of that barrier.  This was no small undertaking in the US.  Don was instrumental in my early career, bringing me into projects and encouraging my participation.  He was one of the few true mentors I have been associated with in my career and I shall always be thankful to him for his help and guidance.  There are few people I attempt to emulate, Don is one of those people.  I hope I can pass on his mentoring to my students and others I may encounter.  He will be missed, but he lives on through his students and colleagues, always.  My deepest condolences to his family.

OBITUARY

Don Garling

12 October, 1948 – 27 September, 2010

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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