Robert H. Garten, 67, passed away May 24, 2006, near Kalamazoo, Mich., while traveling to his home in Idaho on May 24, 2006.
He was born in Bremerton, Washington, April 7, 1939 to Howard and Jean Garten. Robert graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle and followed with a lengthy and successful career with the U.S. Navy from which he retired as a chief petty officer. He also retired from N.A.S. Whidbey civil service in 1994. In retirement, Robert and his wife, Gladys, relocated from Oak Harbor, Washington, to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, where he spent much of his time being a proud grandpa, tinkering in his woodshop where he learned to make beautiful furniture and taking on the role of greens keeper at the local Mirror Lake Golf Course.
He volunteered with the North Bench Volunteer Fire Department for five years and was commander of the local American Legion Post 55 for five years and vice-commander for District 1 for 2006.
Along with Gladys, they spent many of their after-hours golfing and attempting to fill the ponds and adjacent woods with golf balls. They were fairly successful.
Robert is survived by his wife, Gladys; sons Jason Garten and Aaron Garten, Skagit County, Washington; daughter Belinda Strong, New Baltimore, Michigan; step-son Philip Calvert II, Macomb Township, Michigan; step-daughter Sheila Schmidt of California; and six cherished grandchildren.
Memorial services were held at 3 p.m. June 1 at the Free Methodist Church, and he was buried with full military honors at the Grand View Cemetery in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post 55, P.O. Box 996, Bonners Ferry, Idaho 83805.
Originally published on the website - Kootenai Valley Press - June 9, 2006
http://www.kvpress.com/obituaries/2006/0524garten.htm