Capt. Richard S. Gardiner (Ret) passed away after a brief illness on June 24, 2021 at The Canterbury in Rancho Palos Verdes, Ca.
Dick was born on January 18, 1925 to Bill and Betty Gardiner of Daytona Beach, Florida. He attended Seabreeze High School where he was a member of the Marching Band and an Eagle Scout. He attended Antioch College for one year prior to entering the Naval Academy in 1943. He graduated in 1946 with the class of ’47.
Dick married the love of his life, Janet Peters, in 1948.They were blessed with three sons, Douglas, Robert and William.
Dick spent 30 years in the Navy. Which included stints on the carriers Point Cruz, Shangri-La and the Essex. He attended post graduate studies at Fort Ord, The Royal Naval Staff College, and The Industrial College Of The Armed Forces.
He commanded the Carrier Airborne Early warning Squadron out Quonset Point, R.I. in the early ’60s.
In 1970 Dick and Janet had their favorite tour of duty, a two year deployment on the Sixth Fleet Staff based in Gaeta, Italy where he received two Legions Of Merit. Returning stateside he worked for the DCA until he retired from his naval career in 1975.
He then began working for TRW which brought them to Los Angeles and their lovely home on Rocky Pt. Rd. in Palos Verdes.
In retirement Dick was active playing golf and gardening. Sometimes for the unfortunate golf course the gardening happened while he was playing a round.
Dick is survived by his two sons Robert and William. Douglas passed away in 2004 and his beloved wife of 68 years, Janet in 2016.
Interment will be next to Janet at Arlington National Cemetery. Arrangements at Arlington will be at a later date to be determined.
Dick was a Navy man through and through and loved, while his body was willing, to return to Annapolis to attend class reunions.
He will be dearly missed.
Published by Los Angeles Times on Jan. 9, 2022.