Garber, Matthew R. (1986-2008)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2008 Jul 14 p. 12

Birth date: 1986

text of obituary:

EMU grad drowns in Costa Rica

Garber a well-loved student leader

By Jim bishop

HARRISONBURG, vA. — The Eastern Mennonite University c9ommunity gathered July 2 to mourn the death by drowning of recent graduate Matthew R. Garber in Costa Rica on July 1.

Garber, 22, of Elizabethtown, Pa., was swimming with a group of young people in a cove that was not known to be dangerous. A riptide apparently caught several of the swimmers. All but Garber managed to return safely to shore.

Garber had graduated with honors from EMU April 27 with a bachelor of science degree in nursing, with a minor in Bible and Religion. He was spending the summer in Costa Rica assisting a missionary family and learning Spanish. He planned to begin a position at Lancaster (Pa.) General Hospital at summer's end.

Garber was among a select group of 10 graduating seniors honored with the annual "Cords of Distinction" recognition, selected for their significant impact on the campus and beyond.

Garber was a well-loved student leader, known for his musical talent and friendly nature. He had sung with EMU's Chamber Singers for four years, frequently planned and led student worship, was involved with the Young People's Christian Association and served as a community adviser in campus residence halls for three years. He completed a summer internship in the Ministry Inquiry Program at Plains Mennonite Church, Lansdale, Pa.

Selecting from comments shared about Garber at the Cords of Distinction ceremony, vice president for student life Ken L. Nafziger read, "From time to time, one who could be considered the 'model EMU student' comes along. consider a young man who, as an expression of his Christian faith, is prone to service, committed to community, loves to sing, makes friends with ease and is kind, caring and scholarly, and you have Matthew Garber."

Brian martin Burkholder, campus pastor, said: "Matt was an exceptional student and EMU campus community member because he was an exceptional person in many ways. His outgoing and caring approach to life endeared him to nearly everyone who met him. He freely shared his gifts of compassion, intellect, musical talent and a heart for ministry through serving others. We are stunned at the loss of such a significant person of hope and promise."

EMU President Loren Swartzendruber read a reflection Garber had shared at the pinning ceremony for EMU nursing graduates. He reflected there that, "As I think back over my time in the nursing program, I can't picture having a richer, more fulfilling experience. . . . I thank God who led me to EMU, who led me to nursing, and who will lead all of us from this place as nurses to minister to his people."

Garber is survived by his parents, Todd and Deb, of Elizabethtown, as well as siblings Justin, Janelle and Bradley.