Roger W Garrison

Roger W. Garrison, Professor Emeritus of Economics at Auburn University and a prominent scholar of the Austrian School of Economics, died Friday, February 13, 2026, in Auburn, AL at the age of 82.

Born in Joplin, Missouri, on February 7, 1944, to James Elmer Garrison and Hazel Halene Wommack, he graduated in 1967 from the University of Missouri at Rolla with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.  Following his graduation, he served as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. Stationed at Rome Laboratory at Griffiss Air Force Base, he worked as a systems engineer specializing in electronic countermeasures, eventually rising to the rank of Captain.

Following honorable discharge from military service in 1978, Garrison earned a master's degree in Economics from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and then spent two years working at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Garrison then returned to academia to earn his Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Virginia in 1981.

Garrison joined the Auburn University faculty in 1978 where he became a celebrated scholar of the Austrian School of Economics, building upon the work of famed economists Ludwig von Mises and Friedrich A. Hayek. Garrison is notable for his graphical representation of the Austrian Business Cycle Theory and how it contrasted with prevailing Keynesian and monetarist models. Garrison’s scholarship culminated in his 2001 book, Time and Money: The Macroeconomics of Capital Structure, which earned him the prestigious Vernon Smith Prize for the Advancement of Austrian Economics.

Beyond Auburn, Garrison was the inaugural Hayek Visiting Scholar at the London School of Economics in 2003, and he served as President of the Society for the Development of Austrian Economics in 2004. He was deeply involved over many years in the Ludwig von Mises Institute as an adjunct scholar and Senior Fellow.

Garrison was a classic car enthusiast and collector. He was an active member of the East Alabama Old Car Club and the longtime author of the club’s regular newsletter. His tangerine-orange 1956 Studebaker Power Hawk could be seen festooned with flags and ribbons at Auburn football games and holiday parades over the years.

Garrison is survived by his wife of almost 38 years, Karen Garrison; his son, Jim Garrison, and his wife, Margo Sulmont; and two nephews and their families. His family and extended family will remember his gift for a funny story, his impromptu presidential trivia quizzes, and the pleasure of watching Atlanta Braves games together in the living room. In addition to his vast intellectual curiosity, Garrison brought an understated sense of playfulness to family gatherings that will be deeply missed.

Contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the REACH (Refresh, Encourage, Activities, Care, Hope) Community Respite Ministry of Auburn United Methodist Church or to a charity of your choice. A family memorial will be held later in the year.