GARDNER, Frank Herbert

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 07/25/2006 Frank Herbert Gardner Frank Gardner, 80, of Florence, died July 19, 2006 in Show Low. He was born in Walkerville, Mich., where he grew up and attended school. Following high school he attended Michigan State University. At the conclusion of his freshman year, he was drafted and went into the Navy. Frank served in the Pacific Theater, Iwo Jima and worked in Japan following the surrender. At the end of the war, he returned to Michigan State and studied chemistry. Following graduation, he worked for Continental Motors. He then moved to California in 1952 and worked as a chemical engineer for a series of companies. In 1963 he met Chris Riechert and they were married in 1964. They made their home in Huntington Beach and he worked in the Apollo Space Program, designing components. In 1969 they moved to Arizona where he worked for Dell enterprises. Frank then became an Air Pollution Control Officer for Pinal County. He then became self-employed, doing residential refrigeration installation and repair. He retired in 1989 and built a cabin in Show Low, where he and Chris would spend summers. Frank is survived by his wife, Chris Gardner of Florence and Show Low; two sons, Frank M. Gardner of Beruit, Lebanon, and Keith Gardner of Dallas, Texas; daughter, Noreen D. Eckblad of Gilbert; two sisters, Barbara Kraus of Pentwater, Mich., and Joyce Van Aelst of Pentwater, Mich.; and seven grandchildren. There are no services scheduled in Show Low. A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 27 at 10 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Florence. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Florence, 225 E. Butte Avenue, Florence, AZ 85232. Owens Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign an online guest book, visit www.owensmortuary.com.