Robert William Garner

Robert William Garner, 92, of Sarasota, FL, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 with his wife by his side. Born October 8, 1925 in Harrisburg, PA, he was the youngest son of Joseph and Sylvia Garner - owners and operators of a family owned trucking and warehouse business. He served with the US Navy, WWII, under the direction of the Naval Research laboratory in the isotropic separation of uranium. He moved to Charleston, WV in 1953 and resided there for 45 years as VP of Commercial Insurance Services. An active contributor to the community, he was a 60 year member of the Million Dollar Round Table, past president of the YMCA, the Federated Jewish Charities and the Pastoral Counseling Service, a board member of Temple Israel, the United Way, the University of Charleston and Sunrise Center of Art - chairing the building of its prestigious Art Museum. He retired to Longboat Key and later moved with his wife to the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota, FL. There, he was a founding member of SMOA, Sarasota Museum of Art, a subsidiary of Ringling College, restoring a historical building for modern and contemporary art. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1948 and affiliated with their Alumni Board, was a member of ZBT Fraternity, an avid member of the Beaufort Hunt and Co-Master of the Kanawha Hunt in Charleston, and a national President of Pi Tau Pi Fraternity. In addition to fox hunting, he thoroughly enjoyed swimming laps, tennis, kayaking and organizing his weekly game of bridge. With his lifelong interest in gardening, he had the pleasure of designing, developing and maintaining meaningful public gardens. He cultivated interesting companionships and had beloved friends of all ages in every stage of life. He took pride instigating integrity, creativity and compassion with his friends and family members. He was a lover of books, history and travel, but he loved his family above all else. Cherished 64 years by his benevolent wife and best friend Dottie Baer Garner, deceased son Robert W. Garner II, daughters Betsy Garner Wyant (Sarasota) and Alison Garner Louie (husband Michael, Atlanta), grandsons David L. Wyant, Jr (wife Paige Samson Wyant, Sarasota), Robert D. Wyant (Manhattan), Cameron Robert Louie (Atlanta), and granddaughter Emilie Peyton Louie (Atlanta). He was placed to rest at the Sarasota National Cemetery on Thursday, March 29, 2018 as a distinguished Veteran. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, 1515 S. Osprey Avenue - Suite B4, Sarasota, Florida 34239.

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Robert William Garner

October 8, 1925 - March 28, 2018