For 25 years if you heard the crack of the bat, or a touchdown in the end zone, you’d find Stan Garfin.
Representing Channel 3 he dominated the Tidewater sports scene. He made headlines along with the sports figures he covered, and his competitors became his friends.
Former Channel 13 Sports Director Brad Face says he grew up watching him and later became his competitor but always admired him. The same sentiment came from former competitor and neighbor Joel Rubin who says people often say they look alike, which he says is a wonderful compliment.
83-year-old Stanley Edward ‘Stan’ Garfin passed away after an extended illness on Tuesday August 4, in a local hospital.
He was born in Mason City, Iowa. He started his career in radio at WKIB in Mason City as a disc jockey before relocating in 1961 to WTAR in Norfolk.
Stan was with WTAR for over 25 years starting in radio and later as their sports director before retiring as a local TV personality.
Yes, Stan was loved by many people because of his larger than life personality over the air waves but those who mattered most to him are his beloved family.
Stan is survived by his devoted wife, Marilyn and their blended families, daughters, Elaine Garfin Salsbury (Marshall), Judi Spilka Showalter (Willie), a son, Jeffrey Spilka (Melissa), six grandchildren, Brian, Jesse, Ruth Ann, Henry, Spencer, and Rosalie and one great granddaughter, Maya.
