Rodney Garrett recently passed away. You may not recognize the name, but you have certainly seen his work. His photographs have appeared on the cover of PP&E, and his feature stories have appeared in this magazine, as well as in our sister publication, Pit & Quarry, many times.

Rodney was the consummate industry insider. Over the past 10 years, I spoke with him on the phone about every other month, swapping stories and rumors, trading information about manufacturers and plant operators, and getting a fix on the construction-materials industry in general.

Rodney thrived on information. He always made it a point to know which company was plotting its next move and who was doing what to whom. And of course, he navigated with daring aplomb, the daily soap opera that is the construction-industry trade press.

Rodney Garrett 1937-2008

Before we launched this magazine, Rodney was one of the people we consulted. He checked with his industry sources, all of whom told him it was a great idea. We welcomed the market research.

Despite our frequent conversations, Rodney was a very private person. He could talk up a blue streak, as they say, but he almost never talked about himself. It is for that reason that I never discovered he was battling lymphoma.

Earlier this year, Rodney sent me a few stories for use in our ConExpo-Con/Agg show issue. I know he had a few other stories in the hopper as well. According to his wife, Christa, he went to Las Vegas to do a video shoot, and when he returned he wasn't feeling well. He passed away shortly thereafter. He worked right up until the end.

The funny thing is, I never met Rodney in person in the entire 10 years I knew him. He was a great guy, and I'm going to miss him.

Mark S. Kuhar
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Winner:
1998 Robert F. Boger Award for Editorials
Construction Writers Association

Member:
Construction Writers Association
American Society of Business Press Editors
Society of Professional Journalists