Thomas B. Garrett

Thomas B. Garrett of Lititz passed away at the age of 85 on October 1, 2026, after a long illness. He died while under the kind and compassionate care of staff at Moravian Manor and Hospice. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA to Thomas C. and Mary B. Garrett.

He graduated from Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in 1963 with a B.S. in chemistry and a commission as a lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers. He served 2 years active duty in Germany with the 54th Combat Engineer Battalion from 1964 to 1966. He graduated from Lehigh University in 1970 with a Ph.D. in theoretical chemistry.

Tom was a Senior Principal Research Scientist for Armstrong World Industries from 1970 to 1999. His work involved applied research in the chemistry and physics of polymers and applications of computing methods to company work processes.

During his time at Armstrong World Industries, he received several patents and authored numerous research publications. He won research awards, including Armstrong World Industry’s Innovation Award in 1991 and Armstrong World Industry’s President’s Award in 1992.

From 2000 to 2017 he was a consultant for Hydrocarbon Publishing in Malvern, PA where he researched and analyzed technologies used by the petroleum refining and petrochemical industries.

He enjoyed his work, family, reading, travel, and spending time at Rehoboth Beach.

He was a member of the American Chemical Society, Sigma Xi, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lititz, and a former member of the Lititz Lions Club, the Izaac Walton League conservation group, and the Library System of Lancaster County.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sharyn M. Garrett of Lititz; sister, Ellen G. Greer of Wilkes-Barre; son, Thomas A. Garrett, and daughter-in-law, Natalia, both of Oxford, Mississippi.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543, beginning at 2 PM. The family will greet guests from 1:30 – 2 PM. Donations can be made to Hospice and Community Care or Moravian Manor Communities.