The Bob Garber Award

WHO WAS BOB GARBER?

A current PATC member shares her memories:

Bob Garber was one of the first people I met when I joined the club about fifteen years ago. He was a fine tennis player and a gentleman, both on and off the court.

Years later, I joined the PATC Board. I learned that Bob, who was also a Board member at the time, had been gradually losing his ability to speak properly. Although his doctors were unable to determine what was ailing him, Bob didn’t let his condition keep him from the tennis courts. In fact, he was still playing almost daily.

On an evening I'll never forget, he came to a Board meeting at my house. He was unable to speak, but he had prepared a handwritten letter that stated he had finally been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). But even this knowledge didn't stop him from playing the game he loved; he had played a match that very morning!

After Bob passed away, the PATC Board created the Bob Garber Award in his memory. I was deeply honored to be one of the recipients of this award in both 2001 and 2002.

I feel blessed that I knew Bob, and I had been able to improve my game enough to play against him on occasion. I want everyone to know that he always had words of encouragement; he was kind and considerate and a great athlete. I’m delighted that his spirit will live on with our club’s annual recognition of its most active players.

Monica Williams