Roderick David Garrett of Oakland shed his earthly body on August 22, 2011. He was born to Helen & Bennet Garrett of Sherman Oaks, California on October 8,1936.
Rod built a successful career designing cities, buildings, landscapes, sculptures, and communities. His innovative pool, fountain and spa designs integrated and reflected the beauty of the natural environment and were featured on the covers of Architectural Digest, Sunset Magazine and others.
Rod had a profound ability for intuiting design, often using his gift in helping other artists with solutions for their projects. In the early 1980's he co-founded Inter-Arts of Marin (a non-profit that funded & organized public art projects in Marin) and served as its first Board President.
Rod’s designing talents were also realized in Mazatlan, Mexico, where he restored a colonial-era home where he lived part-time. With his Mexican architect partner Jhon he contributed significantly to the restoration of historic buildings within the Centro Historico district.
On a larger scale Rod designed Burning Man’s Black Rock City as well as the Cafe and structures that support the Burning Man each year from 1997 to 2011; again his designs and structures appeared in publications across the globe – most recently in the New York Times.
Rod will be missed greatly by his daughters Spring Garrett and Kelley Garrett, his grandchildren Ryley Garrett and Rayna Higa, his brother Bennett Garrett, his wife Kerry Vander Meer and his step-daughter Tarrell Wright.
In lieu of flowers, Rod’s family requests gifts be made to The Black Rock Arts Foundation so that his dream for the Fly Geysers & Fly Ranch can be realized. For more information on the initiative see: Fly Ranch Proposal and to make a donation in Rod’s Memory please see: Rod Garrett Memorial Donation. To view a recent New York Times article about his work as a city designer see: Rod NY Times
Please join us to remember Rod Garrett on Sunday, October 30, 4-6:00 p.m. at American Steel, 1960 Mandela Parkway, Oakland, California.
