Richard T. Gardner

Richard T. Gardner, Jr, of Dover, DE passed away peacefully on January 26, 2025. He was born Sep 26, 1933, on the family farm in New Jersey on his grandfather's kitchen table. Mr. Gardner was the son of the late Richard T., Sr and Mary Scozzafava Gardner.
Mr. Gardner was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years Audrey Gardner, brother James Gardner and sister-in-law Jo Ann Gardner. He is survived by children Thomas and partner Heather, Michael and wife Donna, Jeffrey, Lance and partner Salame, Patricia and husband Kenneth; family supporter Eileen; grandchildren Katherine and partner Jorge, Elizabeth, Richard and wife Meredith, William and wife Madison, Samuel, Skyler, Garrett and wife Jazmin, Mason and partner Eliza, Keagan; great grandchildren Bradford, Colten and Aria.
Mr. Gardner graduated from Boonton High School in 1951 where he was captain of the track team and star half mile runner, also receiving the academic achievement award. He attended Dartmouth College and pursued a career in chemistry, starting with the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, working for Standard Brands (one of the original spacesuit development companies) in Dover, DE, and finally for the Delaware Dept of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. Mr. Gardner enjoyed many activities over the years, including genealogy, canoeing, archery, hunting, fishing, and bottle and Native American artifact collecting. He was active in his community including a member of the Italian Society, Irish Society, Volksmarch, First State Webfooters, Wilmington Trail Club, and Kent County Archaeological Society.
Mr. Gardner lived most of his life in Dover, DE, staying in the same family home for about 55 years.
Mass will be held on Friday, February 21, 2025, 11AM at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 910 Birch St, Boonton, NJ 07005. Interment will be immediately after at Marcella Union Cemetery on Timberbrook Road, Rockaway, NJ (do not take Old Public Road).
A Celebration of Life will be held in Dover, DE, at a later date.