Long time local legislator Bob Garton dies at 92
Information provided by the Garton family
Former Indiana State Senator and President Pro Tempore Robert Dean Garton passed away on May 8th.
Garton represented Columbus in the Indiana State Senate District 41 for 36 years, during which he was Republican Caucus Chair for for years and President Pro Tempore, the top Senate leadership position, for 26 years.
Born in Chariton, Iowa, to Dr. J. Glenn Garton and Irene (Wright) Garton, Bob Garton grew up grounded in small-town values that shaped who he became. From his father, a physician of more than 50 years, and his mother, a pioneering member of their town’s board of education, he learned discipline, service, and purpose.
He graduated from Chariton High School, lettering in four sports, and went on to Iowa State University, where he met the love of his life, Barbara Hicks. Married for seven decades, they built a life, and a family, rooted in love, respect, and an unwavering partnership.
Bob and Barb’s children, Brad and Brenda, are grateful to have grown up in a home filled with love. Their parents had something special – a 71-year marriage of devotion, respect, and trust – a true partnership.
Garton served as a First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps before earning his Master’s degree from Cornell University, where he studied labor relations under Frances Perkins (Franklin Roosevelt’s Secretary of Labor). His career took him from Procter & Gamble to Cummins in Columbus, Indiana, before founding Garton Associates, a successful consulting firm.
It was in public service where Senator Garton left an indelible mark. He was elected to the Indiana State Senate, eventually becoming President Pro Tempore – the longest-serving in state history and believed to be the longest serving leader of any State Senate in the Country.
His legislative accomplishments were significant. He sponsored the Equal Rights Amendment when it was sent to the states for ratification. Among many other awards, he received the First Freedom Award from the Hoosier State Press Association for his work in improving media access and promoting open government. He led early environmental protections against chemicals, and wrote and sponsored landmark legislation in the 1980s that prevented Cummins from a hostile takeover that protected thousands of Indiana jobs. His legislation reached the Supreme Court where it was upheld and became a national model. Garton was also instrumental in securing millions of dollars for projects across the state.
Garton was indeed honored with many awards and accolades, including a term as President of the National Conference of State Legislators and the prestigious William M. Bulger Excellence in Legislative Leadership Award.
He left the legislature in 2006 to take a leadership position as Vice President of Professional Development at Ivy Tech, helping to shape its statewide impact.
For all his professional achievements, Garton’s greatest joy was his family. He rarely spoke of his own accomplishments yet proudly shared theirs.
Bob Garton found happiness in life’s simplest, most meaningful moments. He loved fishing on Wood Lake, telling stories around the table, reading historical books or smoking a good pipe on the front porch. His daily routines ended with a goodnight kiss every evening to Barb. It was a love that endured, and one Brad and Brenda were lucky to witness.
Garton believed deeply in character. In his first-place-award-winning Toastmasters International speech, “The True Measure of a Man”, he said that while the world measures success in many ways, the true measure lies within. In the depth of one’s character.
Garton’s speech ended with this:
“When we’re born, it’s a miracle. When we die, it’s a revelation. What happens in between is determined largely by a man’s character – the true measure of a man.
That was Bob Garton. A humble leader and a beloved family man of honor, humility, and character. A man whose life was defined not just by what he achieved, but by how he lived.
Senator Bob Garton is survived by his wife of 71 years, Barbara (Hicks) Garton, two children, Brad Garton and his wife, Jill Lipoti; Brenda Garton-Sjoberg and her husband, John Sjoberg; four grandchildren: Lian (Garton) Neeman, Dr. Daniel Garton, Stefan Sjoberg, Esq. Bo Sjoberg, Esq. and three great-grandchildren: Shai and Naomi Neeman and John Sjoberg.
Garton also leaves a stunning legacy of accomplishment and achievement, along with his beloved Indiana home and his loving family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to “America’s VetDogs” (VetDogs.org). A celebration of Robert Garton’s life will be planned for a future date
For more information on Garton, and a link to the Indiana State Senate papers he donated to Indiana University here: https://libraries.indiana.edu/robert-d-garton-indiana-senate-papers-1968-2015