Howard Gardner Obituary

He was a friend, for a time a cousin-by-marriage, kind, a guy with a wicked sense of humor, very smart, patient, with a large dose of humility. Those who knew him are lucky and blessed as was he to have been part of a loving family.

Had the privilege of knowing and serving with Garry in Vietnam. I am saddened by our loss. He is not forgotten.

I just found out today that Dr. Gardner had passed away. Dr. Gardner was a kind and gentle person. Our deepest condolences to all of you.
The Zimmer Family

I'm sorry this is so late, but I just found out about Dr. Gardner today. He was a wonderful doctor to my three children. They are all grown now but I still remember him so fondly and recall how kind and compassionate he always was. I remember when two of them were little and we had to carry them in and they had scarlet fever. He took such time with them and talked so calmly with us that he calmed our fears. I just wanted his family to know how he touched so many people. My youngest is going to be a doctor--his match day for his residency is Friday. I hope he turns out to be as compassionate as Dr. Gardner--what a wonderful model. Our thoughts and prayers are with all his family. Our deepest sympathy, The Logeman Family

Dr. Gardner not only took care of my children but when my granddaughters needed a pediatrician, he took care of them. His caring for his patients was from his heart. After my daughter's college physical, he laughed and said "I still see the bologna in your ear!" Must be something in our family genes because he said the same thing to my little granddaughters. The world was a better place because of Dr. Gardner! You will be truly missed on this earth but will be in our hearts forever.

My condolences to the family of Mr Garner, may the God of all comfort be with you in this time of sadness.

Dr. Gardner was such a wonderful doctor. I feel very blessed that he took care of my daughter, even into college. He was so compassionate and he would always say, "If she is not better by ____, call me" and I knew he meant it! My prayers go out to his family. The Perzek Family

I worked briefly with Dr. Gardner at Pathways Foundation. What a dedicated and caring spirit. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. - S.D.

He was my first doctor I will never forget his kindness and gental nature. Thank you so much for taking such great care of me, my siblings,and cousin. You will be missed!

Dr. Gardner was a wonderful doctor and such a gentle man. My children (34/30) went to him when young. They always felt comfortable going to the doctor because of his gentle concern for them. He will be truly missed. My prayers go out to his family.

My children were some of his first patients when he started in practice. We all loved him & so appreciated the care he gave them. They now have their own families & still talk about him at times.....The Lotarski family

I am so terribly saddened to learn of Garry's passing. This kind, soft spoken gentle man will be greatly missed by all whose privilege it was to have been his patient, friend, colleague, or student.
I will forever remember his generosity, his well nourished eloquence, and kindness I was shown from the moment I met him to each and every patient of his in whom he placed his trust in me to participate in their
oral health care. I recall the day I came to his office to introduce myself, he graciously made time from his busy schedule to speak with me. It has been my privilege to have known Garry over almost 30 years and a greater privilege to be entrusted to see his patients. I have known no other pediatrician with a greater appreciation and advocacy for the importance of early preventive dental health. My contact with Garry extended beyond private practice while teaching at Children's Memorial, Hinsdale, and Feinberg. He has served as a role model for so many, and it is eminently clear he will be missed by all who fell under his wing , and in particular his wonderful colleagues in Darien. I will miss his smile and dedicated spirit and devotion to the well-being of children. His many contributions to so many will long be remembered.

Please accept my sincerest condolences.

Dr Gardner you will be missed! Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Gardner family and the DuPage Pediatrics family. It was alway obvious that Dr. Gardner really cared about my children.

when we moved to darien many years ago, I asked a neighbor to suggest a good pediatrician. she told me to look no further, dr. gardner was the best. she was right. dr gardner and the dupage peds. team have taken care of both of my daughters with such caring and knowledge. I will forever be thankful that they had him as their pediatrician. may he rest in peace.

I am deeply saddened to hear of this news. I first met and worked with Dr. Gardner at Des Plaines Valley Health Center in Summit IL. where he volunteered his time once a month for over 20 years. He was an incredible human being who touched the lives of many. He will truly be missed. Judy, Molly and Joe you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing your husband and dad with the rest of the world.

With sympathy,
Dee LaGioia RN

I am 40 years old, but I remember Dr. Gardner so well. He was my pediatrician when I was very young at the Darien office. He was always so full of warmth and kindness. I am sorry for the loss of such a kind, wonderful man.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Dr. Gardner's family and friends. When our daughter was born & in the NICU we weren't getting answers from the hospital doctors. Dr. Gardner came to the hospital to check up on our girl & put our minds at ease. As new parents this meant the world to us! He was always kind, gentle & very patient with our baby. We will always be grateful to him. May he rest in peace.

Our heart-felt thanks to Dr. Gardner for his compassionate care and our sincere sympathy to his family for your loss. Your will be in our thoughts and prayers. The Chatterjee family

Dr. Gardner was an extraordinary man. Our family was so blessed by him.

What a loss. Gary was a friend, a colleagues and the pediatrician to our 4 children. He was one of the finest men we have known and we feel blessed to have had him in our lives.
Our love and thoughts for to his wonderful family.
Love, Cam and Jerry Niederman

As a first time mom with a 4 pound premie, Dr. Gardner was reassuring and very patient! He guided our family through many ear infections and sore throats always with a smile on his face and patience in his heart, no matter what time the phone call came -even when the 2 and 1/2 yr old called him a poo-poo head! His shoes will be hard to fill. The Howard Family

When I was moving out to the suburbs I worked at Childrens in the Special Infectious Disease clinic and asked Dr. Ellen Chadwick who she would recommend as a pediatrician, she said that she wouldn't take her children to anyone other that Dr. Gardner at Du Page Pediatrics. We have been so blessed to have known him!

A great doctor-- it was wonderful working with him at Pathways. He will be missed.

I am incredibly saddened by this news. Dr. Gardner was an amazing man and an incredible doctor. He was all 3 of my boys Doctor. We have really missed him the last year. My thoughts and prayers go out to all his friends, family and all the many people he touched over the years.

Dr. Gardner was a wonderful doctor to my four children. We were all blessed to have known such a kind and gentle man, who always made the kids feel comfortable. We pray that your family finds peace.

My heartfelt sympathy to Garry's family. Having grown up with him in Gary and then working with him for over 30 years at Hinsdale Hospital, I so appreciated his gentle manner with parents and their new babies. My three grandchildren were his patients. I'll miss his dry wit and always friendly smile.

I will always be grateful to Dr. Gardner for being that beacon of light that we needed as our family was going through some difficult times. Thank you Dr. Gardner for your encouragement and faith. Thank you for sharing your light with us.

Such sad news on this rainy day. Of the many medical specialties one can choose from, the most rewarding and heartbreaking would have to be pediatrics. Beyond dealing with a range of diagnoses for their young patients, these doctors also become a teacher for all of us parents as we quickly realize our newborns did not come with an owner's manual. Interacting with Dr. Gardner – in fact any of the pediatricians at the practice – was and continues to be a rewarding experience; knowing our questions will always be answered, phone calls returned, and the highest quality patient care provided to our children. My heartfelt condolences to the Gardner family and the staff of DuPage Pediatrics during this difficult time.

My deepest sympathies to the Gardner family. I am so saddened by Dr. Gardner's passing. I had the privilege of working with Dr. Gardner for over 10 years. He was one of the kindest people I have known; so caring and gentle with his patients! His humor was wonderful and always welcome during our busy days at DuPage Ped's! I wish I could laugh with him one more time! He taught me so much over the years. I will never forget him. I know he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

My condolences to Dr. Gardner's family. I have known Dr. Gardner for many years as he was the doctor to my five children and has been the doctor for seven of my grandchildren. I started with him when he was at Hinsdale Pediatrics and followed him when he started DuPage Pediatrics. He was a very kind, caring and gentle doctor who made a new mother at ease with caring for her children. I remember going with my daughter when she took her new baby for his first visit in 2004 and Dr. Gardner looked at me and said "Hi, Mrs. Kaempf, how are you?" He remembered me after years of not seeing me (my own children were all grown by then). He was the best.

My cousin,Gary, was like a brother to me. We lived one block from each other all my growng up life. Words can never express what an extraordinary person he was. I will mis him terribly. Our whole family will stick together always. May his memory be a blessing to all

Dear Judy and Family,
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Kay & Harry Reed

Dear Gardner Family. I can not express the sadness that I feel now that he is gone. I have worked for him for 14 great years at DuPage Peds. For he was a great physician and boss. Always had the best interest of the children; which is what I admired about him the most. He will be dearly missed by his employees and patients.We shared some wonderful times at DuPage Pediatrics. RIP

My deepest sympathies to Dr. Gardner's family and colleagues at DuPage pediatrics. I worked with Dr. Gardner for over 9 years. I learned to respect him for his compassion for his many patients. He was a gentle, soft spoken man with a side of humor! A great man and great physician!

iT HAS BEEN A HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO WORK FOR AND WITH DR.GARDNER AT DUPAGE PEDIATRICS. THE COMMUNITY HAS LOST A VERY CARING, KNOWLEDGABLE PEDIATRICIAN AND I LOST AN IU BUDDY. MY SINCERE SYMPATHY TO JUDY, MOLLY & JOE.

This is such a tragic loss of a life wonderfully well lived in service to all and especially to children. My deepest condolences. Russ Robertson

I worked with Dr Gardner for 15 years and I have never met a more compassionate and gentle man. We looked forward to his poetry when he signed our birthday cards. We often told him he should also be a poet. He also was one of the Drs. at Dupage Peds that took special care of my children. I am sure the Western Suburbs will miss him deeply and I will miss him. Thank you for being a special inspiration in my life.

We knew Garry as our neighbor, mostly through AFS foreign exchange, and in a few meetings in local school volunteer activities. He was always upbeat, always helpful. We will miss him.

Dear Gardner Family-
I started bringing my daughters to Dr Gardner and Dupage Pediatrics when my oldest daughter was 1 week old. She is now 27 and graduating from medical school. My other dauther is 22 and graduating from college. I also had the privilege of working for Dr Gardner at Dupage Pediatrics for 8 years. (also got to work with Molly) It was different seeing Dr Gardner as both my children's Doctor and as my employer, but He was always the same so warm, caring, kind and just a smart Man. I will forever be grateful for the wonderful care we received from Dr Gardner and all the other Doctor's at Dupage.
You and your family will be in my prayers. One thing I know is the memories you have with your Husband and Father will someday bring you joy and put a smile on your face.

Garry Gardner was a member of the Class of '61 of Horace Mann High School, Gary, Indiana. He was a standout among his classmates, a bright presence at our 50th reunion last summer, and man of significant accomplishments. He is already missed though he lives on in our memory.

Saddened to hear that one of my Horace Mann High School friends has passed away. My memories of Garry are all positive - a decent, thoughtful, caring human being. In reading about his accomplishments, I am both impressed but not surprised. My deepest sympathies to the family.
-Gary Lozow
Denver, Colorado

Dear Gardners, My deepest condolences to all of you. I will always have fond memories of Garry and our Roosevelt Street family. My prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. Garry will be missed by all who knew him. RIP Garry.

Judy, we are SO sorry for your loss. Jim A. at Easter Seals informed us this morning. Please know you and your children remain in our thoughts and prayers for courage, strength and healing. Fondly, Bob, Julie and Jim Mercola

Dear Gardner Family, I am so sorry for your loss. I have known Gary for many years and want to express how much he will be missed. He was a great physician and a wonderful man.
Christine Hough RN Hinsdale Hospital

I was so sorry to hear of Dr. Gardner's passing. What a kind and caring man. I worked with him when he was Chair of Pediatrics at Hinsdale....what a loss not only to his family but his patients. My thoughts and prayers to his family, friends and his practice.

Gary was funny and kind and generous of spirit and will be missed by those who knew and loved him, and many others.
Stan Stephenson

Dear Judy and Family,
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I had the pleasure of having Dr. Gardner care for my 3 boys over the last 20 years, and the honor to serve with him on the Medical Advisory Board at the DuPage Easter Seal. He was such a Huge advocate for children, and such a warm and caring person. We will all miss him.
Roger Stefani

Dear Judy, Molly and Joe,
We are so grateful to have known Garry personally and as our pediatrician all those years - such a wonderful doctor and caring person who helped us through some tough times. We are so sorry for your loss.
With our sincere sympathy,
Rick,Donna,Kyle,Dan and Natalie Olund

Dear Judy, Molly and Joe,
We are so sorry for your loss. We are grateful to have known Garry personally and as our pediatrician all those years - such a wonderful doctor and truly caring person who helped us through some tough times. He was the best!
With our sincerest sympathy,
Rick, Donna, Kyle, Dan and Natalie Olund

Garry's tremendous work in child safety improved the lives if children around the world. His tireless work with the American Academy of Pediatrics will not be forgotten.

Rick & Donn, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. May the memories live on in both your hearts of which you have so many of. Again my condolences goes out to you and your families.

I was very sad to hear that Dr Gardner passed away. He was a kind and gentle man. My deepest sympathy to his family and to the staff and Doctors at Dupage Peds.

Garry once told me that he knew he had really made it as a pediatrician when one of his patient's parents told him that their children didn't just pretend to play doctor at home, they pretended to play Dr. Gardner. For him, children always came first. Garry inspired me to become a general pediatrician, and he taught me how to be a good one. My sincere condolences to his family. He is missed.

Dr. Gardner was my pediatrician from birth, and I know what a kind and caring man he is. When I had children of my own, there was no doubt in my mind who I would take them too. I've had the wonderful experience of Dr. Gardner's kindness from a parent's perspective for the past 8 years. He was no different from when I was a child. I know that I have missed seeing his smiling face whenever I have taken my children in, and I know my children, especially my oldest, has missed seeing him. My deepest condolences to Dr. Gardner's family. We have all been truly blessed to have known him.

I have known Dr. Garder for a long time. My parents took me to him prior to opening DuPage Pediatrics and then they followed him to his new practice. I remember him as being kind and soft spoken. He left such an impression on me as a child that when I had children of my own I took them all to him. My 4 kids particularly liked to "blow" out the light after he checked thier ears. He will be deeply missed in my family. My condolences to his family

Dr. Gardner was the pediatrician to my three children.
He was kind, patient and so practical. I was blessed with healthy children so we would only see him yearly.
Every year he would say " your doing a great job they are growing perfectly." We will miss him.

He was "gentle"man in so many ways.

Garry was a valued mentor and colleague, with stong ties forged in child injury prevention battles over many years. I join all who mourn his loss and who will miss him always. Sincere condolences to the family.

From my earliest days as a little girl, I remember my uncle Garry making me laugh. Not just a giggle. But hold my tummy laugh. To my current days of adulthood, I remember my uncle as someone still making me laugh, someone who is a great listener, always so intrigued in what I was doing and especially proud of any time I gave of myself for others. I intend to try to live a life like my Uncle's - one of never-ending love, warmth, self-giving, and laughter. May we come together to give us all strength and peace- because this man, my uncle, is missed greatly already and is gone way way too soon. All my love and peace.

Garry was a PRINCE of a Man!! He was tireless in his child safety efforts! The world is a better place because Garry was in it! Sending his Family sympathy to comfort them during this difficult time. Stephanie Bryn

I had the pleasure of working closely with Dr. Gardner for over 10 years. He was everything I think a pediatrician should be--warm, knowledgeable, dedicated--and more. I will miss him as a mentor, a colleague, an advocate, an educator, and a friend.