John Francis "Frank" Gardner

1935 - 2025

John Francis "Frank" Gardner

November 15, 1935 - February 14, 2025

John Francis "Frank" Gardner, sometimes lovingly referred to as "Old Buffalo Head," peacefully passed away surrounded by his family in Missoula on Friday, February 14. True to form, Frank passed on his own terms, was stubborn up to the very end but ultimately left this life with very little fanfare or attention. As he was known to say, he is officially "dundiggin."

Frank was born at his family home on Wyoming Street in Butte, Mont., on November 15, 1935 to Lois and Frank Gardner. He joined older sister Genevieve. His younger sister Sharon and brother Michael later joined the family. He spent his childhood on the flats of Butte, playing in Silver Bow Creek, participating with Boy Scouts and attending Whittier Elementary where he had his mouth taped shut on more than one occasion.

Frank's parents were determined he would not spend his life in the Butte mines as his older generations had. Following graduation from Butte High in 1954, he boarded a bus with a footlocker, a few bucks and headed to Houston, Texas to pursue a petroleum engineering degree at Rice University on an ROTC scholarship. Fate intervened and he was called back home as his father was terminally ill with cancer. Frank enrolled at the Montana School of Mines, earned a geological engineering degree in 1961 and alas went to work in the underground mines to help support his family. From that point forward, it was clear mining truly was in his blood as it would come to define much of his life.

On November 17, 1962, Frank made perhaps the best decision of his life and married Arlis. From their very humble beginnings in Elk Park, to a mining camp in Iran, beautiful British Columbia, beaches in Florida and Panama, the serene Big Hole Valley and ultimately Missoula, Arlis was there every step of the way. Together they raised Mitch, Greg, Lisa and the twins Lynda and Leslie which he lovingly referred to as "the second litter."

Frank enjoyed a successful 48 year career in various roles in the mining industry. Starting underground in the Emma and Steward mines, Frank worked his way up to a shift leader and then found a management position with the Anaconda Co. for a copper mine in Iran. After leaving Iran just prior to the Shah (whom he actually met in person!) being overthrown, he went to British Columbia and worked for Lornex. But once again Butte called him home.

In November 1979, Frank returned to Butte as the manager of operations for Atlantic Richfield. The mine was in financial ruins and in 1983 he felt the only option was to close down for a year and reorganize. Eventually, ARCO decided to get out of mining all together and the mine was shuttered. In 1985, Missoula businessman Dennis Washington came to the mine to look at buying only the equipment but Frank had other ideas. After a series of negotiations and meetings with various stakeholders including labor representatives, county and state officials, Dennis Washington became the owner of the mine, now Montana Resources. The deal was finalized just as the last piece of The Lady of the Rockies was put into place. Frank went on to head up Montana Resources until retirement in 1998. In 2003 after another mine closure, Frank came out of retirement and once again took the helm to lead Butte into a new century for the Mining City.

Speaking of The Lady of the Rockies, Frank played an instrumental role offering equipment, manpower, expertise and maybe a little faith to the project. As Bob O'Bill said, when the lights come on The Lady each night he thanks, "the people of Butte, especially Frank Gardner."

Over the course of his career, Frank was involved in many organizations and boards. He served in the National Guard following college graduation. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Helena Branch. President of Montana Tech Foundation. President and Treasurer of the Montana Mining Association. Vice President of the Butte-Silver Bow Chamber of Commerce.

In 2010, Montana Tech honored Frank with an honorary doctor of science degree. The Montana Tech Foundation also awarded Frank with a Distinguished Leadership Award and he was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award and the Uuno Sahinen Silver Medallion.

Most recently, Frank completed his memoir Deep Enough which recounts his experience growing up and the rebirth of mining in Butte. For all of his accomplishments and accolades, Frank was most proud of helping usher Butte into a new mining era. He didn't shy away from making difficult decisions for Butte but yet he always kept the miners and the community as a top priority. He was a tenacious negotiator, a natural leader, a man of his word with true integrity and a strong sense of character. He possessed an incredible work ethic. He was witty and sarcastic. If you ever found yourself with a nickname from Frank or the butt of one of his jokes, it likely was a term of endearment and respect.

When Frank wasn't at the mine, he most often could be found fly fishing or hunting at his cabin in the Big Hole. Spending time at the cabin provided Frank with much needed respite and solace. During times of stress, he would often retreat to the cabin, go for a hike and ponder his latest dilemma. He and Arlis enjoyed hosting friends and family at the cabin with good food, too many drinks, laughter and a lot of dogs!

Frank was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Genevieve and Sharon; and sons, Greg Gardner and Mitch Peltomaa; and several of his favorite dogs. He is lovingly survived by his wife of 62 years, Arlis; and their daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Andy Edelstein, Lynda and Keith Fichtner, and Leslie and Dan Finch. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Lisa Anne Gardner; brother, Michael Gardner; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. His real legacy is his 10 grandchildren, Josh Edelstein, Dakota Edelstein, Kelcie Peltomaa and her husband, Aaron Held, Karlie Peltomaa and fiancé, Wesley Rigler, Genna Gardner and fiancé, Dylan Cook, Seth Gardner, Olivia Fichtner, Ethan Fichtner, Ian Finch and Jacob Finch. And finally two great-granddaughters, Lacie Sramek and Eleanora Held.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, February 28, at 11 a.m., at The Front Street Station. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Butte Archives, Montana Tech Foundation, Big Hole River Foundation or Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

And as Frank would say, "Don't let your dauber down!"