Memorials › Arthur Garben

Arthur Garben

25 Jul 1900 – 11 Mar 1991

Birth	25 Jul 1900
Death	11 Mar 1991
Cemetery	Rockville Cemetery Fairfield , Solano County , California , USA
Added by	vgarben on 22 Nov 2020
FaG	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9476881

Gravesite details

Cemetery office records. Field survey.

Bio

Vacaville, CA -REPORTER March 12, 1991 "A big loss" with death of "Mr. Fairfield" Arthur Garben, known as "Mr. Fairfield" for his many contributions to the city, died Monday in NorthBay Medical Center after an illness. Born in Cordelia on July 25, 1900, he was the youngest of five children and a lifelong area resident. He moved to Fairfield in 1913 and graduated from Armijo High School in 1918. He worked as a banker for the 1st National Bank of Suisun and then for Bank of America after it acquired 1st National Bank in the late 1920s. He was the youngest bank manager in the state of California at the age of 26. In 1935, he entered the insurance and real estate business. He owned and operated Arthur Garben Real Estate for 55 years. In 1935, he was the only real estate broker in Fairfield. He also took an exceptional interest in local government. He told the Reporter in 1984, "I attended every City Council meeting for 40 years." Mayor Gary Falati described Garben's death as significant to the community. "nobody had a greater knowledge of this community's history. His death will be a big loss to the community." Falati said Garben maintained strong influence with city officials and used it to promote support of local businesses. "He realized he could be more influential behind the scenes than by being a policymaker," Falati said. Frank Marriano, a longtime Fairfield resident who knew Garben for many years, described him as "a very sharp gentleman." Marriano operated a postal route for 30 years and would often stop to talk to Garben, who was on his route. He said Garben was well known and engineered the creation of Allan Witt Park in Fairfield. Tim Farmer, another long-time Fairfield resident and local historian, also credited Garben with engineering Allan Witt Park. "He had the property and helped the city to purchase it," said Farmer. Farmer also said Garben was an excellent source of historical information. "Whenever I had a question, he was the one I would call," said Farmer. "He was born in Cordelia and lived his whole life in this area." Farmer said Garben will be remembered as a man who did much to help his community. "He was also a self made man. He worked his way up and earned everything he had," Farmer said. Garben was particularly proud of the distinctive two-story farmhouses in the Suisun area, Farmer said. "His grandfather built those houses," said Farmer, "It was a great source of pride to him." Garben was a member of Suisun Lodge No. 55, F&AM and Past Master in 1928. He was a past president of the Fairfield Lions Club, past president of Green Valley Country Club, and member of the Armed Services Committee. He was a past president of the Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce and was the first chairman of the Fairfield Planning Commission. He is survived by his wife, Pauline; daughter, Betty Mason of Green Valley; sons, Arthur E. and Michael, both of Green Valley; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Garben will be 2 p.m. Wednesday in Bryan-Braker Funeral Home. The Rev. John Duncan of Grace Episcopal Church and members of the F&AM Lodge No. 55 will officiate. Interment will be private in Rockville Cemetery. Visitation will be toay from 5 to 9 p.m. at Bryan-Braker. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's favorite charity.

Photos

Family

Parents

Spouse

Siblings

Children

Export GEDCOM

This person only · Entire connected family