Robert H. "Bob" Gardner, 89, of South Dartmouth passed away Monday, November 13, 2023. He was born April 17, 1934 in Camden, Maine, the son of the late Henry A. and Mary (Winchenbach) Gardner.
He leaves his wife of 66 years, Patricia (Harrop) Gardner; four children, Mimi Gardner, Jeff Gardner and his wife Barbara, Christine Stanton and her husband Shaun, and Tracey Clark and her husband Christopher; eight grandchildren, Michael, Robert, and Patricia Gardner, Mac, Patrick, and Zane Stanton, Cameron Clark, and Harrison Gardner; five great-grandchildren, Isla, Esme, Robert, and Cecilia Gardner, and Pearl Stanton; his sister, Marie Savage; two brothers, Richard Gardner and his wife Signe, and Albert Gardner; and many nieces and nephews in the Rockland, Maine area.
Bob was predeceased by his sisters, Jeanette Withington and Joan Legage Tupper.
Bob graduated from Rockland High School, Maine in 1952. He was Valedictorian of his class and Captain of the basketball team. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Tufts University in 1956. At Tufts he was President of his graduating class and Captain of the baseball team. Bob and Pat were both 1956 graduates of Tufts and were married February 1, 1958 in Boston.
Bob served in the Navy during the Vietnam War as a Gunnery Officer aboard the USS Rhodes DER-384. His last duty station was at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD where he taught Electrical Science. Bob and Pat lived in Newport, RI and Annapolis during their Navy years. In 1961 they moved to South Dartmouth, MA because they wanted a special place to raise their family. They are very proud that all four children, after college, returned to raise their own families here.
Bob spent twenty years at Park Oil Company, then in 1981 he and Pat started Gardner Realty in Dartmouth. All four children have worked in the business.
Bob was active in many civic and social organizations. He was a board member of the New Bedford Chamber of Commerce, the Greater New Bedford Board of Realtors, The Rotch-Jones-Duff House, Fairhaven Savings Bank, the New Bedford Port Society, the Kiwanis Club, the Country Club of New Bedford, and the Anthony Beach Association.
His greatest joy was his family. He loved all sports and took great pride in coaching and cheering for his children and grandchildren.
His Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 9AM at St. Mary's Church, 795 Dartmouth St., South Dartmouth. A private family burial will follow in South Dartmouth Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity in Bob's name, or perform an act of kindness in Bob's memory. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.