I have really sad news. Bob Farrington, a leading light in the planning field locally, an adjunct professor with us, and a friend to many of us, died today. He was just a wonderful guy. I personally was better for the contact with him. CMP will carry on for him by awarding a scholarship in his name henceforth. Please take the time to read his amazing life story below.

Robert F. “Bob” Farrington, Jr.

February 13, 1952 – April 9, 2018

Robert Felix “Bob” Farrington, Jr passed away Monday after a valiant battle against cancer. Bob was a nationally known figure in urban planning, community development, and economic development, having worked on award-winning and impactful development projects in various cities.

Born in New Orleans to Merle (Fitzpatrick) and Robert F. Farrington, Sr., his childhood was spent in Memphis, New Orleans, and Houston. He graduated from the University of Houston, where he met his wife of nearly 43 years, Maria Stillman Farrington. After marrying in Corpus Christi, TX, Bob and Maria moved to New Mexico, where they developed a love for the mountains. They returned to Texas, where Bob earned a master’s degree in urban planning from UT-San Antonio. Bob and Maria were blessed with two sons, to whom they devoted much love, instilled values of respect and fairness, and an ethic for hard work and play.

Bob was Vice-President for Economic Development with the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, before becoming founder and first Executive Director of the San Antonio Downtown Owners Association, where he helped plan a major extension of the San Antonio Riverwalk and revitalization of the city’s historic core.

He later partnered in a consulting firm, Admiralty Management Company, providing master planning and development services for projects including a baseball stadium, community college campus, resort, and World’s Fair site. Bob also consulted with communities around the U.S. to create downtown organizations and business improvement districts.

In 1992, Bob and his family moved to Utah, becoming the first Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance of Salt Lake City. During his 15-year tenure downtown Salt Lake City saw dramatic growth and re-development. Bob’s achievements included developing the First Night New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Farmer’s Market, Salt Lake Music Festival, and cultural events as part of the 2002 Winter Olympics. He served as Chairman of the Cabinet for the award-winning visioning plan, “Downtown Rising,” and led efforts supporting the Trax light rail system.

Bob later served as Salt Lake City’s Economic Development Director, where he led recruitment and retention of the largest office and industrial users to Salt Lake City, creation of the Neighborhood Business District Initiative, the $110 million Utah Performing Arts Center, and the largest office expansion in city history.

He was an adjunct urban planning professor at the University of Utah for 18 years, teaching a generation of planners about community and economic development, particularly in downtown areas and neighborhood business districts. Bob also developed a consulting practice with his brother, Farrington Community Planning & Development, working on community planning efforts in Utah and providing counsel on projects in Oregon.

Bob was named alumnus of the year by UTSA, and received planning and urban development awards from the International Downtown Association, National Defense Transportation Institute, Utah Transit Authority, and Utah chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and was named one of the 25 most influential people to build Salt Lake City’s downtown. He served on the boards for the Salt Lake Chamber, Economic Development Corporation of Utah, Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau, Local First Utah, Greater Avenues Community Council, and KRCL Community Radio.

As a native of the Big Easy, Bob knew his way around a plate of good food and all kinds of music, and made a mean bowl of gumbo. He loved spending time with family and friends, and was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying skiing, hiking, camping, cycling and travel. Being a great student of basketball, he was both a supporter and critic of the Utah Jazz, and his game feature good ball handling and a sweet outside shot.

Bob loved seeing both his sons get married to amazing women, and becoming a grandfather. He was a great husband, father, brother, friend, teacher, and mentor. Bob leaves behind a great legacy of civic and business improvements in the communities he served. In a 1992 newspaper profile, Bob identified his strategy for success: “Be informed, involve others, ask questions, build consensus, take risks and persevere.”

He leaves an even greater legacy through the relationships he built and nurtured with family, friends and business associates.

Bob is survived by his wife Maria Stillman Farrington; sons Robert (Erin Ellsworth) Farrington III of Seattle, WA and Charles (Juliana Vilhena) Farrington of Salt Lake City; grandsons Jordan Farrington and Nico Vilhena of Salt Lake City; sister Susan (Leon) Huntoon of Melbourne, FL; brother Philip (Mary) Farrington of Eugene, OR; numerous relatives in Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Georgia, California, and Hawaii; and amazing friends in Salt Lake City and Texas.

Remembrances can be made to the Bob Farrington Memorial Scholarship at the University of Utah Department of City & Metropolitan Planning.

Reid Ewing

Chair, Department of City and Metropolitan Planning

University of Utah