Former Utah House speaker, auto exec Bob Garff dies of COVID

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Former speaker of the Utah House, auto executive and philanthropist Robert Garff died Sunday because of complications of COVID-19, his daughter and the automotive group said.

Rep. Melissa Garff Ballard, R-North Salt Lake, posted on Facebook: “My loving dad passed away peacefully today from COVID-19. He has lived a long and happy life, full of vigor and love for our state and our families."

Garff, 77, was the third Utah resident to die of the virus.

Garff was a prominent Utah businessman and chairman of the Ken Garff Automotive Group, which was started by his family. He served as speaker of the Utah House from 1985 to 1987 and chaired the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Games.

Ken Garff Automotive released a statement saying that Robert and his wife, Katharine, tested positive for the virus after driving back from Palm Springs, California.

“Earlier this week, Robert felt more ill and was admitted to the hospital," the statement said. Katherine continues to recover at home, they said.

Garff was a major contributor to the University of Utah, funding a business school building and the still-to-be-built "Ken Garff Performance Zone" at the Rice-Eccles football stadium. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was once chairman of the board for Deseret Book Co. He served on the board of Intermountain Healthcare and is a former chairman of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Garff is survived by his wife, five children and 21 grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will probably be delayed because of gathering-size restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, Ballard said.

U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, who worked with Garff during the Olympics, issued a statement saying Garff's death “breaks my heart.”

“Bob's contributions to our state, to our economy, and to our church will be heralded by many,” Romney said. “But for me, it was his sound and principled leadership as the Chairman of the Olympic Winter Games of 2002 that is most compelling.”

Current House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, expressed his condolences.

“Bob led a life of selfless service to others, which included leadership roles in the business, government, and faith communities,” Wilson wrote in social media posts. “Bob's influence is far reaching and will be deeply missed.”

Jeff Robbins, the president and CEO of the Utah Sports Commission, praised Garff.

"Bob was a dear family friend of mine who played a vital role as an advocate for sport in Utah as chair of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Committee and a founding board member of the Utah Sports Commission. He will be greatly missed," Robbins said in a statement.

Salt Lake County issued a stay-at-home order Sunday, closing some businesses and limiting trips outside to essential activities, such as grocery shopping, seeking medical care and outdoor recreation. Salt Lake City announced a similar directive Friday evening.

The Utah Department of Health said Sunday that the state had 719 positive tests for COVID-19, up 117 from Saturday. It's the second day in a row with an increase of more than 100 cases, the agency said.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in several weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.