Richard Eugene "Dick" Garmaker (October 29, 1932 – June 13, 2020) was an American basketball player who competed at the collegiate and professional levels during the 1950s. Born in Hibbing, Minnesota, Garmaker became a noted athlete at the University of Minnesota and went on to play in the National Basketball Association, spending most of his professional career with the Minneapolis Lakers before finishing with the New York Knicks.
Early life and college
Garmaker grew up in northern Minnesota and rose to prominence as a basketball player at the University of Minnesota. As a member of the Golden Gophers men's basketball program he was widely regarded as one of the more prominent players on his team, earning regional recognition and attracting the attention of professional scouts. His collegiate play established him as a candidate for the professional ranks at a time when the NBA was still expanding its national profile.
Professional career
Garmaker began his NBA career in 1955 and remained in the league through 1961. He spent the bulk of his professional years with the Minneapolis Lakers and later joined the New York Knicks. Competing in the league during the 1950s and early 1960s, he played in an era marked by a more physical, fundamental style and helped bring visibility to players coming from Midwestern programs.
Style of play and reputation
Often described as a versatile wing, Garmaker combined perimeter skills with an ability to score when opportunities arose. Contemporary reports and later retrospectives noted his shooting and scoring contributions on both college and professional teams. He was part of a generation of players who bridged the college game and the evolving professional league environment.
Legacy and later life
- Garmaker's career reflects the path of mid‑century American players who moved from strong regional college programs into the NBA.
- He is remembered in Minnesota basketball history for his role with the Golden Gophers and for representing the state at the professional level.
- Garmaker passed away on June 13, 2020 at age 87; his death was noted in local and national basketball obituaries.
For more on the league and teams associated with his career, see resources on professional basketball, the NBA, the New York Knicks, and the University of Minnesota.