Robert Driscoll Garrett '50, a longtime San Marino resident, died December 5, 1987 of cardiac arrest. He was 55 years old and was survived by his beloved wife of 33 years and high school sweetheart, Joan Connelly Garrett '50 and their four children:  Charles Anthony Garrett, Theresa Garrett Thayer (Steve), William Robert Garrett (Maureen), and Catheryn Joan Garrett. Other survivors included grandchildren Katherine Anne and Kevin Garrett Thayer; sister Joan Garrett Vaillancourt '43; and brothers Anthony Joseph Garrett '49, John Charles Garrett and James Joseph Garrett.

A SPSMHS Hall of Fame member, Bob earned All-CIF honors in football, basketball and baseball, and served as Senior Class President. Bob graduated from Stanford in 1954 with a BA in Russian History and was a member of Zeta Psi fraternity.

Bob received national recognition in 1953-54 for his exploits on the gridiron. After leading the Indians to a 21-20 upset over UCLA, Bruins coach Red Sanders said, "I have never seen a game so dominated by one man...I have never even heard of one man in a single half doing what this fellow Garrett contrived against us...No quarterback in the T ever had a better day than Bobby Garrett had today."

Throwing right-handed but punting and kicking left-footed, Bob was Stanford's last two-way player to participate in all 60 minutes of a game -- a feat he accomplished five times in 1953, starting at quarterback, safety and handling all punting and placekicking duties. Bob led the country in 1953 in passing, defensive interceptions and PAT efficiency. His then-school record of 17 touchdowns in a single season (28 in his career) stood for 16 years. Bob still shares the single season record for defensive interceptions with nine (in a 10-game season).

A consensus All-American in 1953, Bob played in the College All-Star Game and was the MVP of the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl. He was awarded the Pop Warner Award as the top collegiate player on the West Coast. Together, Bob and fellow All-American -- and lifelong friend Sam Morley '50 formed one of the greatest pass-catch duos in Stanford and NCAA history.

The Cleveland Browns made Bob the first pick in the 1954 NFL draft but shortly thereafter traded him to the Green Bay Packers, where he played the 1954 season before entering the USAF. Following two years of duty during which he was promoted to first lieutenant, Bob returned to the NFL in 1957 as Cleveland re-acquired him. This return was short-lived, however, as he left the Browns to be with his growing family and entered the executive training program of Sears, where he recently completed his 30th year.

Bob was active in the local community, fundraising for the South Pasadena - San Marino YMCA, serving as an elder at the San Marino Community Church, supporting San Marino High School sports, and as an assistant coach for the San Marino Saints Pop Warner football team. He was an excellent golfer and enjoyed skiing, tennis, jogging, camping, and fishing.

Bob made a positive impact on many, many people by taking a personal interest in them, always exhibiting warmth, kindness, and decency, and working behind the scenes to help in any way he could. As a testament, San Marino Community Church was overflowing with those who came to show their love and respect for Bob at his December 9th memorial service. As Pasadena Star-News Sports Editor Charles Cherniss wrote, "Of all the sterling athletes in this area's history, list Bobby Garrett among the two or three greatest -- on and off the field -- he was a kind, self-sacrificing person with confidence, but little ego."

An exemplary family man, loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, caring brother and uncle, loyal and cherished friend and role model -- the Tigers have truly lost one of their finest.