Dr. JOSEPH GARDNER

GARDNER, Dr. Joseph Erskin, 83, passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2012. He was born September 13, 1928 in Carroll County or Hillsville, Virginia, to the late Ernest Erskin and Inez Hicks Gardner. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Janet Rose Lucy Gardner. Surviving are his daughter, J. Carol Gardner of Richmond, Virginia; son, Steven Erskin Gardner and wife, Kathryn John Gardner; grandchildren, Jeffrey Erskin Gardner and wife, Gina Smyth Gardner of Chiavenna, Italy, Amy Gardner Monroe and husband, Adam Monroe of Jackson, Wyoming, and John Steven Gardner of Ithaca, New York; sister, Evelyn and her husband, Dr. Virgil Marshall, of Charlottesville, Virginia; and brother, Dr. Richard Gardner and wife, Judy, of Staunton, Virginia; two sisters-in-law, Estelle Abernathy and Lorena Brandon; and a number of nieces and nephews. Dr. Joe left the farm to attend VPI, just to get away from the dairy cows. He went on to attend the Medical College of Virginia and did his residency with the Army, serving at Fitzsimons Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, and then served in Korea and Japan. In 1955 he and Janet moved to Harrisonburg, and began a 35-year-long career as a family practice physician. One of his proudest accomplishments was the delivery of more than 2000 babies. He retired from private practice in 1989, and a short time later began his second career of almost 20 years as Medical Director for the Harrisonburg Rockingham Free Clinic. He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Board of Directors for Rockingham Memorial Hospital during times of expansion, and always served in the interests of the patients of this community. He served for several years on the Harrisonburg Planning Commission. He was instrumental and partnered in establishing the nursing program at JMU. He is beloved by his patients for his home visits, compassion and caring approach to medicine and always called each one by name. He was happiest when talking with friends and patients, socializing with his "50's club," golf and poker with his buddies and sharing the bounty from his garden. He and Janet shared many interests including travel, real estate, golf and the cabin. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, at Kyger Funeral Home, 3173 Spotswood Trail, Harrisonburg, Va. 22801. A memorial service will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church in Harrisonburg 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 23. Interment will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Harrisonburg Free Clinic, 25 West Water Street, Harrisonburg, Va. 22801, or American Cancer Society, 420 Neff Ave., Suite 210, Harrisonburg, Va. 22801.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.