Birth date: Oct 10, 1934 Death date: Nov 4, 2022
Richard Charles Gardner age 88, of Centerville, passed away peacefully Friday, November 4, 2022 in the company of his loving wife, Barbara and his daughter, Julie. Richard was born on October 10, 1934, the second child of six, bo Read Obituary
It was an extra hot summer afternoon. I was hanging out at Uncle Richard and Aunt Barb's place. The rest of the family was out shopping; except Uncle Richard, who walked in and immediately offered to take me up in his airplane. Of course, I could not refuse! It seemed like only a few minutes, and we were accelerating on the runway and in midair with ease. What a view! Nothing like seeing all the acres of corn fields from the gorgeous blue sky! Then, Uncle Richard spotted a herd of cattle. He dipped down and vrrrrrooooooom; he buzzed the cattle just low and long enough to get them moving fast! Then, veering this way and that way. What a ride! As we were approaching the runway, I inquired about informing the tower. Richard smiled and said Honey, there's no one to call-in. I just stick my head out the window and look to see if other planes are approaching. I make sure to fly in a circle counterclockwise and get in line and wait my turn. No doubt, he had done this many times, and with confidence the plane landed smoothly. That ride was most memorable. But most of all, I'll never forget how proud Uncle Richard was showing me his flying skills. And, remembering that big smile of his! Also, every day I see his skilled handiwork in my own home. The extra bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette he built in the lower level with the assistance of my father and Aunt Barb has been most appreciated! The details were exceptional and too many to mention here. Richard loved to work with his hands. That summer of domestic transformation was memorable as well, along with his smile! Can you imagine the extra big smile he has now Gives me hope. And to those who hear or read this, we too, can have confidence that someday we will always be smiling and joyful, for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Romans 52 ...through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God's grace we now enjoy. We are blessed because of the hope we have of sharing in God's glory
It was an extra hot summer afternoon. I was hanging out at Uncle Richard and Aunt Barb's place. The rest of the family was out shopping; except Uncle Richard, who walked in and immediately offered to take me up in his airplane. Of course, I could not refuse! It seemed like only a few minutes, and we were accelerating on the runway and in midair with ease. What a view! Nothing like seeing all the acres of corn fields from the gorgeous blue sky! Then, Uncle Richard spotted a herd of cattle. He dipped down and vrrrrrooooooom; he buzzed the cattle just low and long enough to get them moving fast! Then, veering this way and that way. What a ride! As we were approaching the runway, I inquired about informing the tower. Richard smiled and said Honey, there's no one to call-in. I just stick my head out the window and look to see if other planes are approaching. I make sure to fly in a circle counterclockwise and get in line and wait my turn. No doubt, he had done this many times, and with confidence the plane landed smoothly. That ride was most memorable. But most of all, I'll never forget how proud Uncle Richard was showing me his flying skills. And, remembering that big smile of his! Also, every day I see his skilled handiwork in my own home. The extra bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette he built in the lower level with the assistance of my father and Aunt Barb has been most appreciated! The details were exceptional and too many to mention here. Richard loved to work with his hands. That summer of domestic transformation was memorable as well, along with his smile! Can you imagine the extra big smile he has now Gives me hope. And to those who hear or read this, we too, can have confidence that someday we will always be smiling and joyful, for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Romans 52 ...through our faith, Christ has brought us into that blessing of God's grace we now enjoy. We are blessed because of the hope we have of sharing in God's glory
This should be very easy to share memories of a good man but Richard was morethan a brother, he looked out for me more as a father would. There is not enoughtime to share all, smile, but will hit a few high spots of fond memories.He taught me to drive and parallel park better than any man ever. He was a greatpatient teacher of many things beyond measure. He would never give upteaching or allowing anyone to fail. Most teacher man ever!As growing up, I was sort of in between siblings. Beverly and Phyllis had eachother and Leroy (Butch) had Jimmy. And here I was alone. Richard would takeme at times on his dates to have fun. He took a bunch to the reservoir to swim inmoonlight of the night and made sure I was a part of it. I swam to the middle andstood on water tank where the train would go underneath for water. I didn't knowthere was a big hole there also. When he saw me in the moon light, he screamedhysterically not to move a step and swam fast to me and explained if I went thruthat hole I would have drowned. He was so scared for me. Some of my favoritetimes is when he would wake me up late at night with a full moon..fresh whitedeep snow perfect for sledding. The best sledding ever.He fixed up many cars for me and my family...there are not enough words here.At a lake he taught my bashful hubby to water ski instantly. We were all at a lakehaving a ball and when he found out the day before leaving that Rich was the onlyone that hadn't ever gotten on skis, he said to my hubby, you want to choose togo your way or my way with a firm voice. Hubby decided to go his own way andfollowed Richard for a skiing lesson. Hubby's first time on skis and Richard tookoff driving the boat. UNBELIEABLE, MY HUBBY SKIED PERFECT NEVER FALLINGAND THEN WE COULDN'T GET THE SKIS OFF OF MY HUBBY, HE FELL IN LOVEWITH WATER SKING! My brother just shook his head as he couldn't believe howmy hubby was a natural, well, I tried till my hands got blisters, never did get up.Our house is full of his touches. Bars around entrance doors for me to use as Ilost balance due to surgery. A roof over our deck....to escape the sun. A roofover our free standing porch swing, again escaping the sun. He built a beautifulfront fence around a front entrance porch to stop package delivery theft....attached benches and side tables on our deck.I could go on for hours and hours but will close here with a wonderful story heshared with me a long time ago. He and Barbara had taken in a homeless youngman but due to his ungratefullness by stealing Barbara's personal things, he wassent away. Richard than told me a good number of years later, he got atelephone call from a man stating Richard wouldn't remember him.....BUT Richarddid. It was from this young homeless man now I believe from the state ofWashington with a good life of which he gave all the credit to my brother,Richard. Richard has shared a number of times the way to heaven and he toldRichard he was now a saved Christian because of his caring.My brother wasn't a perfect man but aren't we all one way or the other imperfect,I just I know I am not perfect but will be some day too.My brother was so blessed having Barbara for his wife. She is a caring lovingperson. May God bless her greatly.
This should be very easy to share memories of a good man but Richard was morethan a brother, he looked out for me more as a father would. There is not enoughtime to share all, smile, but will hit a few high spots of fond memories.He taught me to drive and parallel park better than any man ever. He was a greatpatient teacher of many things beyond measure. He would never give upteaching or allowing anyone to fail. Most teacher man ever!As growing up, I was sort of in between siblings. Beverly and Phyllis had eachother and Leroy (Butch) had Jimmy. And here I was alone. Richard would takeme at times on his dates to have fun. He took a bunch to the reservoir to swim inmoonlight of the night and made sure I was a part of it. I swam to the middle andstood on water tank where the train would go underneath for water. I didn't knowthere was a big hole there also. When he saw me in the moon light, he screamedhysterically not to move a step and swam fast to me and explained if I went thruthat hole I would have drowned. He was so scared for me. Some of my favoritetimes is when he would wake me up late at night with a full moon..fresh whitedeep snow perfect for sledding. The best sledding ever.He fixed up many cars for me and my family...there are not enough words here.At a lake he taught my bashful hubby to water ski instantly. We were all at a lakehaving a ball and when he found out the day before leaving that Rich was the onlyone that hadn't ever gotten on skis, he said to my hubby, you want to choose togo your way or my way with a firm voice. Hubby decided to go his own way andfollowed Richard for a skiing lesson. Hubby's first time on skis and Richard tookoff driving the boat. UNBELIEABLE, MY HUBBY SKIED PERFECT NEVER FALLINGAND THEN WE COULDN'T GET THE SKIS OFF OF MY HUBBY, HE FELL IN LOVEWITH WATER SKING! My brother just shook his head as he couldn't believe howmy hubby was a natural, well, I tried till my hands got blisters, never did get up.Our house is full of his touches. Bars around entrance doors for me to use as Ilost balance due to surgery. A roof over our deck....to escape the sun. A roofover our free standing porch swing, again escaping the sun. He built a beautifulfront fence around a front entrance porch to stop package delivery theft....attached benches and side tables on our deck.I could go on for hours and hours but will close here with a wonderful story heshared with me a long time ago. He and Barbara had taken in a homeless youngman but due to his ungratefullness by stealing Barbara's personal things, he wassent away. Richard than told me a good number of years later, he got atelephone call from a man stating Richard wouldn't remember him.....BUT Richarddid. It was from this young homeless man now I believe from the state ofWashington with a good life of which he gave all the credit to my brother,Richard. Richard has shared a number of times the way to heaven and he toldRichard he was now a saved Christian because of his caring.My brother wasn't a perfect man but aren't we all one way or the other imperfect,I just I know I am not perfect but will be some day too.My brother was so blessed having Barbara for his wife. She is a caring lovingperson. May God bless her greatly.
This should be very easy to share memories of a good man but Richard was morethan a brother, he looked out for me more as a father would. There is not enoughtime to share all, smile, but will hit a few high spots of fond memories.He taught me to drive and parallel park better than any man ever. He was a greatpatient teacher of many things beyond measure. He would never give upteaching or allowing anyone to fail. Most teacher man ever!As growing up, I was sort of in between siblings. Beverly and Phyllis had eachother and Leroy (Butch) had Jimmy. And here I was alone. Richard would takeme at times on his dates to have fun. He took a bunch to the reservoir to swim inmoonlight of the night and made sure I was a part of it. I swam to the middle andstood on water tank where the train would go underneath for water. I didn't knowthere was a big hole there also. When he saw me in the moon light, he screamedhysterically not to move a step and swam fast to me and explained if I went thruthat hole I would have drowned. He was so scared for me. Some of my favoritetimes is when he would wake me up late at night with a full moon..fresh whitedeep snow perfect for sledding. The best sledding ever.He fixed up many cars for me and my family...there are not enough words here.At a lake he taught my bashful hubby to water ski instantly. We were all at a lakehaving a ball and when he found out the day before leaving that Rich was the onlyone that hadn't ever gotten on skis, he said to my hubby, you want to choose togo your way or my way with a firm voice. Hubby decided to go his own way andfollowed Richard for a skiing lesson. Hubby's first time on skis and Richard tookoff driving the boat. UNBELIEABLE, MY HUBBY SKIED PERFECT NEVER FALLINGAND THEN WE COULDN'T GET THE SKIS OFF OF MY HUBBY, HE FELL IN LOVEWITH WATER SKING! My brother just shook his head as he couldn't believe howmy hubby was a natural, well, I tried till my hands got blisters, never did get up.Our house is full of his touches. Bars around entrance doors for me to use as Ilost balance due to surgery. A roof over our deck....to escape the sun. A roofover our free standing porch swing, again escaping the sun. He built a beautifulfront fence around a front entrance porch to stop package delivery theft....attached benches and side tables on our deck.I could go on for hours and hours but will close here with a wonderful story heshared with me a long time ago. He and Barbara had taken in a homeless youngman but due to his ungratefullness by stealing Barbara's personal things, he wassent away. Richard than told me a good number of years later, he got atelephone call from a man stating Richard wouldn't remember him.....BUT Richarddid. It was from this young homeless man now I believe from the state ofWashington with a good life of which he gave all the credit to my brother,Richard. Richard has shared a number of times the way to heaven and he toldRichard he was now a saved Christian because of his caring.My brother wasn't a perfect man but aren't we all one way or the other imperfect,I just I know I am not perfect but will be some day too.My brother was so blessed having Barbara for his wife. She is a caring lovingperson. May God bless her greatly.
I didn't get to grow up living close to my extended family in Centerville but wevisited every summer of my childhood and often as an adult. Like my cousin, JeffThomas, Uncle Richard took myself and my younger brother, Darren Inman on ourfirst airplane ride. I was very afraid but my Uncle Richard wanted me toexperience the thrill of flying. Indeed I did!He took me hunting for Morel Mushrooms and how to spot them.He purchased and fixed up a 1980 GL 1600 Subaru for me. Richard told me howto remember the make and model GL1600----Good Looking 16 year old.SMILING!He gave my daughter her first taste of adult food. He cleaned off a chicken legfor her to suck on and handed it to her in her high chair. First taste, Sara had adeath grip on that bone! I don't God could have gotten it from her, we all laughedso hard.Uncle Richard taught our 13 year old son, Steven, to drive his pick up, pick cornand then take it himself to town to sell. I am smiling as I write this...How manyother moms would have FREAKED out! I grew up hearing many stories my momshared about what wonderful brothers she had.Uncle Richard put his arm around my father, a quiet shy townie and welcomedhim into the large and loud Gardner family. Not only did Richard connect withhis generation, my generation but my children's generation. How many peopleaccomplish that Yes, Uncle Richard touched many, many lives, I am sothankful to be one of them.As I was thinking of my Uncle Richard, I couldn't help but also remember my AuntBarbara for she is a part of many of my memories! Aunt Barbara is a beautiful,kind, and faithful woman. Thank you Barbara for always being there when Richardneeded you the most.
He was a good man and he is going to be missed. Our condolences to his family. From the Ewing family Matthew, Margery nd Marilyn.
My condolences to his family! I had a couple of dealings with Richard! I bought a vehicle from Richard for my daughter. I tried to haggle with the price and he told me I want to make X amount of dollars, so I said okay, she likes the car. He then said if anything goes wrong with that vehicle, I'll fix it no charge! Well, something did happen, the clutch hanger broke and so I took it him. His son Jody spent a few hours fixing it. I was prepared to pay, Jody said there's no charge! Richard was a man of his word! MAY HE REST IN PEACE!
