Obituaries

Howard Gardener was an amazing man. From age 6 to 18, I had many interactions with Howard as a young neighbor boy. He mowed his grass lawn with an old fashioned "reel "push-mower to stay in shape.He gave me the two plastic eyes for my high school biology project of a "stuffed" Thompson ground squirrel. On fishing trips with Howard and Dave they would tease me about the liverwurst that thy enjoyed but I would not eat. Pigeon racing was their thing, and any hunting or fishing adventure. I remember once that Howard went fishing before work in the morning, he killed a rattlesnake, cut of the head and brought it home. He put it in the freezer and left for work. Later, his wife Dorothy went downstairs to the basement to get meat out of the freezer to defrost for dinner. When she opened the freezer door , the warm air activated the rattlesnake's nerves and it uncoiled and shot out over Dorthy's shoulder. Quite a shock I suppose, and quite a tongue lashing to Howard when he he got home, I suppose!!! I only hope to be as healthy as he in my later years. Dirk Palmer 01OCT2024

Posted by Dirk Palmer on October 2, 2024

I will always remember the years we co-chaired the RRGC Salmon Booth. Howard was a great mentor and friend!

Posted by Dale R Schielke on July 13, 2024

We will miss you Grandpa! I loved your stories of hunting with Matt and the amazing collections of photographs you kept! You were a fun house guest and made great chicken cashew!! So glad you got to meet Luke! So lovely to have precious memories of our time in Seattle. Much love to Sue and Kathleen at this difficult time. Best wishes from Ireland

Posted by Eimear Ward-Gardner on July 12, 2024

Howard had an amazing life. Our adventures on ranches in Montana, fishing in OR & WA, camping & card playing were the culmination of his great love for the outdoors; something he passed on to my husband, David & my son, Howard’s grandson, Matthew for which I am eternally grateful. Howard was one of a kind, always putting others needs in front of his own. We will always have his memories alive in our hearts forever. RIP

Posted by Kathleen Gardner on July 12, 2024