Herbert Elvin Garrett

Herbert E. “Herb” Garrett, 91, devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather, died Sunday, December 12, 2021. A Memorial Service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, December 18th, at First Presbyterian Church, Rogers. Herb was born on November 4, 1930 in Topeka, Kansas to Harold and Alice Garrett. He received a Bachelors of Arts Degree with a major in Biology from Washburn University in 1954, in addition to a commission in the Air Force as a second lieutenant after participating in the ROTC program. After training as a Navigator, Herb was assigned to Edwards AFB, California for active duty where much of his flying and navigation work was in experimental aircraft.

Herb met his wife, Martha Scott Garrett at Washburn and they married in Independence, Kansas in 1956. Herb and Martha moved back to Kansas from California after Herb retired from the Air Force in 1958 and Herb enrolled in the University of Kansas where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1961 and obtained multiple credits towards a Masters Degree in Physiology. Herb and Martha moved back to California in 1961, where Herb enjoyed a 32-year career as college teacher at Long Beach Community College, teaching Biology, Chemistry, Math and Computer Science. Herb also completed the requirements for a Masters Degree in Education at California State University in Long Beach in 1970. Herb and Martha moved to Rogers, Arkansas in 1992 to retire. Herb accepted teaching assignments for Math and Computer Science at Northwest Arkansas Community College and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. He eventually decided to really retire in 1998. Besides his passion for teaching and education, Herb loved Gardening, Boating, Photography and most of all spending time with his family. He loved documenting every aspect of his family’s lives and his various pursuits. Herb earned the love and respect of the numerous people that he interacted with, including the NW Arkansas Garden Club, the Prairie Creek Homeowner’s Association and First Presbyterian Church of Rogers Building & Grounds Committee.Herb was preceded in death by his parents; his cousin, Paul Richardson and his granddaughter, Heather Garrett. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Martha; his daughter, Cynthia (Rick) Shepard, his son, Scott (Pilar) Garrett, both of Rogers and his daughter, Alice (Ted) Bird of Mount Pleasant, SC; step-grandson, Miguel (Cara) Baltazar of Fort Riley, KS; grandchildren, Brendan Sheairs of Arlington, VA and Sarah Shepard of Rogers; step-great grandchildren, Nohelia, Elysia and Gabriela Baltazar of Fort Riley, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or www.Cancer.org and First Presbyterian Church, 1901 S 26th St, Rogers, AR 72758. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.RollinsFuneral.com for the Garrett family.