Dr. Robert (Bob) Gary has been selected to be a 2015 inductee into the Garfield High School Golden Grads Hall of Fame.
Dr. Gary – who was nominated by Janice Thompson ‘52, Mar’ Chang Eng ‘52, Shirley Woo Pang ‘52, Ned Turner ‘52, Vivian Lee and Diane Reedy O’Neal, chair of the Hall of Fame Committee — was selected based on his remarkable career as an educator, administrator, coach, military leader and community volunteer. Born in Morton, Mississippi, as the seventh child of the Mason-Francis-Mitchell family, Gary’s contributions to the city of Seattle and the state of Washington have been immeasurable.
Dr. Gary graduated from Garfield High School and attended Washington State University where he excelled in Track and Field, was an All-American Hall of Famer and excelled in his academic studies. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Health Education from WSU, and his Master’s degree in Public School Administration Counseling/Guidance and Doctorate of Education in Leadership from Seattle University.
Dr. Gary taught elementary, junior high and high school for the Seattle Public Schools and served as assistant principal at Garfield, principal at Hamilton, South Shore and Eckstein; Executive Director of Interagency and Supervisor of Middle and High Schools. He was also employed by the Renton School District before being asked to return to the Seattle Public School District.
He holds memberships in numerous professional organizations including, Mason Progress, UW – Centennial Tribute Northwest, Black Pioneers – Northwest Historical Society, Math Science Program U of W – Engineering, U of W – Black Proof Educators, High School Accreditation Board, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity – Reserve Officers Association, Phi Epsilon Kappa – Seattle Association, Guardian Ad and serves on the board and/or devotes his time to many other community organizations.
He has received several awards for his educational, civic, community and military contributions. One proud honor was becoming the first Black Coach hired in any sport, in any public school in the State of Washington. At Garfield he made history as a coach, sharing his all-city track skills with inner-city youth who earned medals, received scholarships and became viable community leaders. His legacy is clearly defined by the countless students he has taught, encouraged and helped to achieve excellence by his example. Dr. Gary devoted 33 years to educating others before retiring, yet he has never stopped uplifting the youth in our community.
Dr. Gary and his wife Gloria enjoy a myriad of personal activities including fishing, gardening and traveling. They raised three highly successful children, Dr. Robert Gary, Jr. (Demetra), is a principal at Madison Middle School in Seattle; Dr. Jon Gary is the Director of Learning and Development at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and Ria Gary Triche (Darrolle), is Director of Habitat for Humanities in Atlanta, Georgia as well as an ordained minister.
With all of Dr. Gary’s accomplishments, he clearly states that his four grandchildren, Xavier, Quentin, Janelle and Robert Gary III, are the great joy of his life.
Dr. Gary will be inducted to the Garfield Golden Grads Hall of Fame at their Annual Awards Luncheon June 6 from 11:00AM-2:00PM at the Garfield Commons.
