William M. Gartner, 84, passed away on July 26, 2012, while sailing on the Baltic Sea. He was born June 29, 1928, in Baltimore, MD, to Martin and Helen Gartner. After graduating high school, he joined the army and embarked on a 22-year career that took him to Batolz and Munich, Germany; Trieste, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; San Francisco, CA; and finally, Denver, CO; he ended his career as a Master Sergeant. While stationed in Germany, he met his first wife, Trudy, and helped her family relocate from East Germany while the wall between East and West Germany was being built. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver, and a master’s degree from Concordia University in Minneapolis, MN, and had a long, successful career in hospital administration up until his retirement in 1993. He was the administrator of hospitals in Kenmare, ND, Saranac Lake, NY, Middlebury, VT, Delta and Burlington, CO. Bill loved to read, enjoyed listening to classical music, opera, and the big band standards, and ended every day with a glass of Chivas. He had a passion for travelling and especially loved cruising and sailing. He was preceded in death by his two beloved wives, Trudy and Angela. He is survived by his sons, Frederick (Gina) and Ivan (Carol); his step-children, Theresa (Brian), Frank (Elizabeth), and Tricia (Tim); grand-children, Christine (Rick), Devin, Stefan, Benjamin, and Daniel; great-grand-children, Dustin, Alexandra, Tiara, and Logan; sister, Gloria Fisher; nieces Karen and Joan; sister-in-law Anita Bendler. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 23rd, at 1pm, St. Gregory's Episcopal Church, 6653 West Chatfield Avenue, Littleton, CO 80128.
Tributes
Leave a tributeYou were truely special in every way and we will all miss the lively conversations.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May peace find you in the knowledge that he loved, laughed and lived well.
May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared comfort you now and in the days ahead.
Ruhe in Frieden Onkel Bill
We will miss him, but he allways will be in our hearts !
Some day we'll meet again .