Henry Gardiner

1946 - 2018

Henry George Gardiner III

September 9, 1946 – October 7, 2018

Durham

Hank ended his struggle with ALS on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018. A native Texan, he was the son of Dr. Henry G. Gardiner, Jr. and Frances Dorothy Weisser Gardiner and grew up in Fort Worth. He is predeceased by both parents. His siblings include Ann Gardiner Aitken (Dr. Phil Aitken), Frank (Mary Anne) Gardiner, Bill (Debbie), John (Barbie), and Mark (Diana). Step-siblings are Dr. Linda Wolszon (Robert), and Ranse and Russell Ridge.

Hank was a graduate of Duke University and a lifelong fan of the Blue Devils. Ever curious, he took courses in nearly every department at Duke, graduating with a degree in psychology. He cultivated a "let's look it up" credo and appetite for knowledge that suited him well in his career as a bookseller. Many will remember Hank as the friendly face behind the counter at the Book Exchange, the largest independent bookstore in the South, where he worked part-time while at Duke and full time for 30 years afterward. In semi-retirement, Hank dealt in rare and collectible books online and found his second biblio-family at the New Hope Commons Barnes & Noble, where he branched out into music and movies. Hank had book dust in his veins and always enjoyed book lovers wherever he met them.

Hank's first love was his family: his wife of almost 48 years, Cindy; his children, Jon (Michelle) and Beth; and his grandchildren, Loudon and Dorothy. Lively dinner table conversation, a dry martini, Mozart and The Who, old movies, and a few weeks in France every May … these were some of Hank's favorite things. He was never bored and never boring.

The Duke ALS staff and Duke Hospice team provided compassionate, knowledgeable care that eased Hank's lengthy struggle. The ALS Association was incredibly supportive.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks consideration of a donation to the Museum of Durham History (MODH.org) or the N.C. ALS Association (NCALS.org).

A memorial service will be held at Duke Chapel at 10am on Wednesday, October 24.