Eugene Herr Gardner

Eugene Herr Gardner, 80, founder of the Investment Advisor Gardner Russo & Gardner LLC, died July 16, 2016 at his home from complications of multiple myeloma diagnosed in 2010. He was a descendant of Hans Herr, with his roots in Lancaster County dating back to 1709. Born in Lancaster, he was the son of Paul and Anna Miriam Herr Gardner. Gene and his wife, Anne Downey Gardner, were married for 53 years. In 2014 he became Member Emeritus of the firm he started in 1968 as Gardner Investments. Before starting his own firm he worked for legendary investor William Ruane at Kidder Peabody in NYC and remained closely associated with the firm Ruane Cunniff and Goldfarb LLC for most of his professional life. After several years at Kidder Peabody he returned to Lancaster and established his Investment Advisory firm as a sole proprietorship, being joined in partnership by Thomas A. Russo and Gene's son, Eugene H. Gardner, Jr., in 1989 and 1999 respectively. He attended Lancaster Country Day School and was a graduate of Groton School in Groton Massachusetts. He attained his BA degree from Harvard College in 1958 and earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1961. He was a Board Member of Fulton Bank and Fulton Financial Corporation. He was a member and Treasurer of Highland Presbyterian Church. He was Chairman of the Board of the James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland. He was President of the Board of Trustees of Lancaster Country Day School, and a Trustee of Franklin and Marshall College. He was President of the Board of Directors of the Lancaster Country Club. His memberships included the Lancaster Country Club, The Hamilton Club of Lancaster, and Pine Valley Golf Club. Gene was a dedicated numismatist, inducted into the Liberty Seated Coin Collector Hall of Fame in 2014, and a tournament bridge player. His other interests included golf, opera, languages, wine, and travel -- especially to Italy, Santa Fe, Palm Beach, and Snowmass, and anywhere else his children and grandchildren are gathered and a gaming table is at hand. In addition to his wife he is survived by a son, Eugene H. Gardner, Jr. (wife Bernadette Milner and children Caroline Curtin, Victoria Eloyse, Abigail Downey, and Grace Wakefield) of Lancaster, and a daughter, Dr. Victoria Curtin Gardner Coates (husband George G. H. Coates, Jr. and children Anne Gardner and George Gowen Hood III) of Philadelphia. His brother Paul Gardner, Jr. lives in Hartford Connecticut. His family wishes to gratefully acknowledge Gene's exceptional care at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Center Institute under the skillful and caring direction of Dr. Randall Oyer and his staff. Also involved in Gene's care was Dr. Daniel Vogl at Penn Medical...this resulted in an outstanding team effort that led to six full years of activities, interests, fellowship, and family time for Gene. The ICU of Lancaster General Hospital and Hospice of Lancaster County embraced him and his family with extraordinary care during the last weeks of his life. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service for Gene on Friday, July 22 at Highland Presbyterian Church, 500 East Roseville Road, Lancaster. The family will greet beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the service will begin at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to memorialize Gene are invited to support these organizations that were dear to his heart: Bright Side Baptist Church (c/o Dr. Louis Butcher, 515 Hershey Avenue, Lancaster PA 17603); the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute Fund (2102 Harrisburg Avenue, Lancaster PA 17601), and The Fulton Opera House (12 North Prince Street, Lancaster PA 17602). Communication to the family may be directed to Box 328, Bausman PA 17504.