Obituary of Craig R. Garrett

Age 70, of St. Paul, MN died on October 25, 2017. Craig graduated from Colfax (Iowa) High School in 1965, the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1969, and the University of Iowa School of Medicine in 1975. He served 20 years in the Army as a doctor before retiring in 1989. In 1990, he moved with his family to Minnesota, where he became the Chief of Internal Medicine for Hennepin County Medical Center. He stepped down in 2011 from that role, and retired from practicing medicine in 2015. Colleagues at HCMC recall that he led his team with strength, tenderness, insight, wisdom and kindness. One referred to him as the “father of General Internal Medicine at HCMC.” His accomplishments include the International Clinic, which he founded to serve the needs of immigrant populations, the Medical Consultation Service which worked in concert with surgical teams to improve patient outcomes, the Walk-in/Direct Care Clinic, and many other then-revolutionary programs. He supervised and helped train the hundreds of residents that filtered through his department. A history buff, Craig was an avid genealogist. He also loved writing. He recently had a poem accepted for publication and was particularly known for his colorful holiday card letters. Craig also enjoyed travel, and during the last year of his life made trips to Hawaii, Egypt, Eastern Europe, California, Oregon, and Colorado. He was an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church, and in this capacity presided over the recent wedding, of his son, Evan. He is survived by his wife, Kendra; daughters Megan (Scott) Judy and Laurel (Elliot) Stephenson; son Evan (Tami) Garrett; grandchildren Kai and Ryan Judy, Heidi and Elyse Stephenson; brother Ken (Kathy) Garrett, as well as many extended family members. Celebration of Life services will be held November 11 at Unity Church, 733 Portland Ave St. Paul at 11 am with luncheon to follow. Donations preferred in lieu of flowers to Second Harvest Heartland, the Dorothy Day Center or The Link MN.