Harry "Gus" Garrett, a longtime plastics executive with Dow Chemical Co., died Oct. 24 at age 77.
Garrett died at his home in Norcross, Ga., of complications from Parkinson's disease. He joined Dow in 1965 and retired in 2001. Of Garrett's 36 years with the firm, 25 were spent in the polyethylene resin market.
Garrett's first assignment with Dow was in its New York sales office, where he sold several industrial products, including plastic films, PE resins, photoengraving supplies and cushion packaging materials.
In 1978, Garrett moved to Dow's corporate headquarters in Midland, Mich., where he held management positions in communications, prime thermoplastics distribution, off-grade polymers sales/distribution, commercial training and PE marketing. Garrett's final role at Dow was as senior marketing executive dealing with the stretch, liner, and commodity film markets.
After Dow, Garrett worked as a consultant with Resin Technology Inc. (RTI) from 2002-13. Mark Kallman, RTI client services vice president, described Garrett as "a great friend and mentor with deep, deep knowledge of the industry."
Kallman added that Garrett played a key role at RTI when the firm was establishing itself. "Gus didn't pull any punches," Kallman said. "But he was a really nice guy with a good sense of humor."
Garrett was a native of Baldwinsville, N.Y., who earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.
Garrett is survived by his wife Ellie, two adult children and five grandchildren.