SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Former speaker of the Utah House, auto executive and philanthropist Robert Garff has died of COVID-19.
His daughter, state Republican Rep. Melissa Ballard, announced the death on her Facebook page Sunday. Garff was a prominent Utah businessman and chairman of the Ken Garff Automotive Group, which was started by his family.
He served as speaker of the Utah House from 1985 to 1987 and chaired the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Games.
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Garff is the third Utah resident to die of the virus. Salt Lake County issued a stay-at-home order on Sunday, closing some businesses and limiting trips outside to essential activities.