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David G. Gartner

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American University University of Iowa

FUNERAL HOME

Murphy Funeral Homes - Arlington

4510 Wilson Boulevard

Arlington, Virginia

David Gartner Obituary

GARTNER DAVID G. GARTNER (Age 74) On Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at his home in Arlington, VA. Former longtime aide to Senator and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, Commissioner on the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and Special Deputy to the Secretary of the Senate for the Federal Election Commission, he is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Suzanne, three sons, James (Susan), John (Paige) and Michael (Dawn) of the Washington area; a daughter, Pamela Wilkens (Matt) of St. Paul, MN; 13 grandchildren, and a brother, Michael, of Des Moines, IA. The family will receive friends and visitors at MURPHY FUNERAL HOME of ARLINGTON, 4510 Wilson Blvd., on Sunday, October 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1910 N. Randolph St., Arlington, on Monday, October 5, at 1 p.m. Inurnment to take place at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday November 30, 2009 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in memory of David G. Gartner to The GW Medical Faculty Associates, 2150 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 1-203 Washington, DC 20037.

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Published by The Washington Post from Oct. 1 to Oct. 2, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for David Gartner

14 Entries

FIORELLO CICALA

May 10, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

FREDDIE CICALA

May 9, 2010

I SO SORRY I AM SO LATE WITH THIS, I JUST FOUND OUT. DAVID WAS MY BIG BROTHER IN 60'S MY PRAY ARE WITH YOU AND THE FAMILY
FIORELLO I CICALA
240-381-3948

Kent Watkins

October 9, 2009

Dave was my roommate at 425 New Jersey Ave., S.E., during the 60s. Sen. Humphrey would come over after the Civil Right legislative daily sessions and we would talk about the possibilities and strategies. I had worked for Mo Udall, Bill Moorhead, and Syd Yates on the House side, and was very involved in the Democratic Study Group's efforts there. Then, I moved to Senator Hayden's staff as his legislative staff director and also staff director of one of his subcommittees. When Johnson became President, I occupied the VEEP office next to Mansfield's majority leader office off the Senate floor. So, Dave and I would see each other in my office, on the floor, and then at home! I remember when he brought in Dwayne Andrus and his daughter one day. I remember the lunches we had at FEC, the phone calls we had regarding the call for his resignation re CTFC, and many other politically astute and interesting conversations. Wish we had gotten together for one more lunch at least and caught up some more. Guess I will have to write that chapter of my memoirs alone but without contradiction. Would gladly take the latter in a minute.

He was a joy to room with, so funny, so upbeat, an Iowan like me (Sioux City to his Des Moines, although I had lived there also). I remember when Dave Nelson, another roommate who brought in David to take Jack Sullivan's place (Cong. Zablocki), taking him to the airport and hoping he would stay on the plane to Fla./VI where the Humphrey people were staying, but it was not to be. Dave was seen climbing down the steps of the plane, which had taxied back and let down the steps again, and Nelson had to take him to the train station for the long ride to Fl. and the ship to the VI. Another time, his fear of flying got to him while over Africa. He had taken lots of peanut butter sandwiches and was about to bite into one when a huge downdraft caused the plane to sink a 1000 feet. Somehow Dave survived that, but I always wondered whether he conquered that fear!

The last time I saw Dave was when he and Suzanne came over to my then-house in Spring Valley and other roommates such as Jack, Dave, Guy Smith, and Jim Brady (he had slept in a closet one summer and then downstairs when he got married to his first wife). I think there was a John Blakely (from Des Moines, press guy) who also roomed with us as well. I remember Dave and Sue saying they were going on a cross-country motor home trip, hope they did and it was fun.

Well, Jack and my ex-wife, Linda, sends her greatest sympathy to Sue, the children, grandchildren, Michael, other relatives and close friends. I don't know where the rest of the Humphrey people are - is Dave Nelson still alive, Neal Petersen?, John Stewart perhaps. All wonderful persons to work and pal around with.

I hope that someone (Sue, Michael G. or others) will catch me up with the rest of Dave's life sometime, both the good and the painful. I did not catch the news until Wed. and it was too late then to attend anything. It looks as if he had a wonderful family of children and grandchildren (12, wow, I only have two and they are wonderful, so more is even better!).

I am here for you always, Dave.
Love ya,
Kent
646 234 3545
[email protected]

P.S. I'll look for some photos from 'those' days and add them here if I find any of interest.

October 7, 2009

Sue, Another branch of the tree of life is sadly broken. Our sincerest thoughts of sorrow are with you today.
may God hold you tightly in His arms and comfort you. Danny and Jeanne Guill

Nancy, Peggy, Caroline and Rob Meyer

October 7, 2009

Sue, We have enjoyed knowing David over the years and admire your strength walking with him through his illness. Please know how much we are thinking of you as you honor him and rebuild your life after his passing last week.

Bruce Brockway

October 6, 2009

Suzanne
I am sorry to hear of Davids passing.
May you both be at peace.

October 5, 2009

Sorry to hear about your husband's death. My husband is also buried at Arlington; a wonderful final resting place.

Gale Pemberton
Greenville, SC

Mike Maurer

October 5, 2009

To Sue and the family
All who knew David will miss him greatly. He was truly one of a kind, never to be replaced.
My heartfelt sympathies go out to you.

Karen Roland

October 3, 2009

My beloved Sue ~ you & your family remain in my heart & in my prayers. You have all walked a long path by David's side throughout his medical battles - the blessing is, David finally won the war! He has arrived peacefully to his eternal resting place & I know that your heart will remain with him until you're together once again. I send forth my forever love & friendship to you!

Bill Greenwood

October 3, 2009

Our deepest sympathies to you and your family, Sue. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. David was a good friend for so many years, and on occasion, an excellent news source. I'm proud to have known Dave and will miss him.

Meg Ravnholt-Hankin

October 2, 2009

Sue, I remember a quiet gentleman with a quick smile and wonderful sense of humor. He was a good friend and colleague to my parents and many other HHH staffers. I am so sorry for your loss but know that you have a loving family to help you during these difficult times.

Doug Humphrey

October 1, 2009

David was a loyal and devoted partner in my Dad's political career .
I will always be grateful for his service to my father and our family .

Among other things ,what I most admired about David was his kind and humble manner . He
never lost his Iowa "roots " .How nice is that !
My sympathies to Suzanne and the entire Gartner family

Beth

October 1, 2009

I am sorry of your loss. May your hearts fill with wonderful memories of joyful time togther as you celebrate a life well lived. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. May the love of friends and family carry you though this difficult time.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. With deepest sympaathies,

Beth

Paul Rexford Thatcher, Sr.

October 1, 2009

David defined loyalty and integrity for all of us who knew and admired him, establishing standards we should all emulate.

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