Longboat Key Obituaries

He was born in Richmond, Va., and by the age of 14 he was an Eagle Scout.

Garber graduated from the Medical College of Virginia in 1954 and interned at Bayfront Medical Center of St. Petersburg. In 1955, he moved to Lido Key with his wife and first child. He as the first full-time physician to serve St. Armands and Longboat Key.

He returned to MCV each summer for six years to complete his medical residency in internal medicine.

He was a founding member of Save Our Bays Association, a charter member of the Rotary Club of Sarasota Keys, a three-term elected member of the Sarasota Board of Public Instruction, a Plymouth Harbor trustee, a Barnett Bank trustee and an awarded conservationist in Sarasota and Manatee counties. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church for 62 years and served on major committees, taught Sunday school and was instrumental in creating the Columbaria, which is now housed at First United Methodist Church.

For more than 30 years, Rudy managed a cattle ranch and tree farm while practicing medicine. In his free time, he enjoyed ranching, swimming, windsurfing, fishing and hunting.

He is survived by his wife, Jocelyn “Dot” Garber; his three children, Janet Garber Taffet, Rudolph Charles Garber III, Michael Fraher Garber; and five grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Tidewell Hospice Inc., 5955 Rand Blvd. or the First United Methodist Church, 104 Pineapple Ave.