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Johhn Eric Garst, PhD, of Alamogordo, New Mexico, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the age of 79, following a short battle with an aggressive cancer.
Born on October 31, 1946, in Wichita, Kansas, to Dale N. Garst and Mary E. Sailing Garst, John developed a lifelong passion for chemistry during his time at Wichita’s North High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Kansas in 1968 and went on to pursue a doctorate in medicinal chemistry, with an emphasis on toxicology, at the University of Iowa. It was there he met the love of his life, Mary JoAnn Kyle of Fort Worth, Texas. They married in Iowa City on January 23, 1971.
After completing his doctoral coursework, John finished his thesis at Yale University, where his son Robert was born in 1974. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at Vanderbilt University, a highlight of which was publication in the journal Science, Dr. Garst joined the faculty of the University of Illinois Department of Animal Science in 1978. In Champaign-Urbana he taught, mentored doctoral students, and continued influential research in toxicology. His daughter Diane was born there in 1980.
In 1986, Dr. Garst left the University of Illinois and briefly taught at Kansas State University. He accepted a research position at New Mexico State University’s Primate Research Institute on Holloman Air Force Base in 1987. After the institute faced major challenges in 1989 due to a devastating outbreak of simian hemorrhagic, Dr. Garst continued his research independently. He was an active member of the Society of Toxicology throughout his scientific career.
John’s wife, Mary Jo, worked as a pharmacist at Gerald Champion Memorial Hospital in Alamogordo from 1987 until her retirement in 2020. Together they raised two children. Robert Garst lives in Grandville, Michigan, with his wife Dr. Amber Roberts and their son Alexander (15). Diane Walsh resides in Fort Worth, Texas, with her husband Matt and their daughters Mariella (7) and Veronica (4).
John is also survived by his sister Janet, a retired surgical nurse living in Sherman Oaks, California, and the six children she raised with her late husband Dr. Joseph Bernstein.
Beyond his professional life, John was engaged in his community, particularly on matters where he could contribute his scientific expertise. He was active in local politics, stayed abreast of current events, enjoyed working with computers, and had a lifelong passion for trains as a dedicated railfan. In 2024 he fulfilled a longtime dream of touring Switzerland by rail with Mary Jo. Those who knew him will remember his warmth and genuine interest in others. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and took joy in sharing the details of his friendships. His good neighbors on Del Prado Court in Alamogordo were a treasured source of strength and fellowship until the end of his life.
A memorial service was be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Scenic Chapel, 1334 N. Scenic Dr. in Alamogordo, with viewing from noon to 12:45 p.m. The service was followed by interment at Monte Vista Cemetery.
