Richard K. Gardner

Richard K. Gardner, 95, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2023. He was the beloved husband of the late Margaret B. Gardner, and the father to Mark Gardner of Maynard; Debbie Mitchell and her husband Rob of Corpus Christi, TX; Casey Gardner of Denver, CO; Paul Gardner and his wife Deena of Leavenworth, KS; and Lori Moore and her husband Joe of Westwood. He is survived by his grandchildren: Kristen, Shawn, Candice, Kyle, Erica, Michael, Nick, Jake, Pete, Caitlyn and Tom and great grandchildren: Paige, Shawn, Quinn, Kellan, Navaeh and Cash.

Dick and his brother Bob grew up in Shrewsbury where they lived with their mother Gunhild Gardner. In 1946, he graduated from Weymouth High School, and after graduation enlisted in the Navy and serving from 1946-48 earning the WWII Victory Medal. He graduated from MIT with a master’s degree in electrical engineering and worked at MITRE for 25 years. He traveled the world, both for work and pleasure.

Family was everything to Dick! Over the years, he coached all of his children’s soccer teams and an occasional baseball team. He took his family skiing, hiking, and camping in New Hampshire. He swam with them at the NPRC, and was an active and involved parent. This continued into his years as a grandfather, attending many important activities and events for his grandchildren. He loved gardening, being outside, and spending time with all of the dogs he had over the years. After his retirement, he became involved with many town committees and did a lot of volunteer work.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours in the Holden, Dunn and Lawler Funeral Home, 55 High Rock St., Westwood on Wednesday August 2nd from 4-7pm. A Funeral Service will be celebrated in the Funeral Home on Thursday morning August 3rd at 10am. Following the Service, interment will be at the MA National Cemetery, Bourne at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org.