Dr. Paul Jay Gardner Ph.D.

1929 - 2025

Dr. Paul Jay Gardner Ph.D.

May 25, 1929 - April 22, 2025

Paul was born in Wichita, KS, on May 25, 1929, to Walter Elias and Ethel Dolly (Rogers) Gardner. He graduated from Wichita North High School and then attended Wichita State for his undergraduate degree. Paul received his master's degree from the University of Wichita in 1955. On October 28, 1949, Paul married Garnet Ann Wannow in Wichita, KS, and they raised four sons together. From 1954-1955, Paul worked as a teaching assistant for Wichita State, and from 1955-1956 he worked as a teaching assistant for Kansas University. Paul and his family resided in Wichita until 1956, when Paul began his career as a professor and department head of biology in Vincennes, IN. In 1960, they moved to Omaha and Paul worked as an assistant professor of biology at UNO through 1963. In 1964, Paul first became a member of the University of Nebraska Medical Center faculty. Paul became assistant professor at UNMC in 1965, associate professor in 1970, and then professor and vice chairman of the department of anatomy in 1977. Paul was a talented teacher, researcher, and administrator for UNMC. He went on a 13-month sabbatical with the National Institute of Health in 1983-1984. During this time, he worked as a health scientist administrator for the grant review branch of the National Cancer Institute. In 1986, Paul was named UNMC's assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs and, in addition, associate dean for graduate studies and research in 1992. His retirement became effective in 1996, but he continued to work as a professor emeritus, choosing to teach part-time during fall semesters until 2006. Paul loved to teach, and during his time at UNMC, Paul supervised nine Ph.D. students, three of whom went on to become well-known for their research on the male reproductive system. Although Paul had an incredibly successful career that he dedicated a lot of his time to, Paul cited his family as his greatest accomplishment. He will be remembered for his dedication, thoughtfulness, compassion, and quiet sense of humor. In his free time, Paul liked to cheer for the Nebraska Huskers, Kansas Jayhawks, and the Wichita State Shockers. He also enjoyed fishing and gardening.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ethel Gardner; his half-sister, Clothilde Fairchild, and his infant twin sons. He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Garnet Gardner; children, Walter (Sue) Gardner, Paul Gardner Jr. (Mary Novak), Michael (Sandy) Gardner, and Richard (Jeanette) Gardner; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

VISITATION: 10:30 to 11 a.m., on Friday, April 25, 2025, with FUNERAL SERVICE beginning at 11 a.m., at Reichmuth Funeral Home in Yutan, NE. INTERMENT to follow at Hollst Lawn Cemetery.

Reichmuth Funeral Home

409 4th Street, Yutan, NE. | 402-289-2222