Robert Frank Gardner Jr.

On April 30, 2015, a much beloved husband, father, brother, nephew, and friend, Robert Frank Gardner, Jr. was called home to his Maker. Robert F. Gardner, Jr. was born to Robert F. Gardner, Sr. and Esther Coleman Gardner on September 12, 1954 in Buffalo, New York, the second of four children they would have. He showed academic promise from an early age and also accepted Christ as his savior early in his life as well, joining Mount Zion Church of God Holiness in Buffalo, New York. He attended Bennett High School in Buffalo, where he was an Honor Student. Having matriculated at Canisius College in Buffalo, he graduated with Honors from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo in 1976, with a combined degree in Political Science and Journalism. Having worked at the Buffalo Public Library as an intern, he then continued his studies in Library Science, receiving a Masters Degree from SUNY at Buffalo in 1979. Immediately after his graduation, he began working at the University of Illinois Medical School Library as a librarian but he soon moved (in 1981) to the Washington, D.C. area where while briefly holding a job at the Washington Post, he began to work at the United States Postal Service Corporate Library as a librarian; he remained there for over 30 years. His hard work and dedication were recognized by his promotion to the position of United Postal Service Corporate Library head, a position he held from 1993-2013. At the Postal Service, he proved to be a hard-working and innovative chief, well-respected by those under his supervision. He came through on his promise to make the library a virtual reality one. For the past several years until his death, he was employed in the Department of Governmental Relations at the Postal Service. Robert was a devoted husband, married to Cheryl Bethea Gardner for 26 years; he was also a doting father to two sons, Ezra Joel and Ephraim Jeremiah. He was a faithful member of Bethlehem Church of God Holiness, where he was a member of the Deacon Board. He had a wonderful baritone voice which was used often to lift up praises to God; he was a member of the church choir. He faithfully attended Sunday School, where he was a star pupil, and weekly Prayer services and Men’s Bible Study. He continued to serve God until the end of his life. His impact on others, including young people (and especially young men, for whom he was a mentor), will be a lasting one. He truly loved his sons and nieces, and his young great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins, creating a close and loving relationship with each one, and making each one feel unique and very special because they were truly such for him. He touched the lives of many individuals in incredibly meaningful ways. There were few who were immune to his charm and friendliness. He will be sorely missed by many. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl , and children, Ezra and Ephraim; by his mother-in-law, Evelyn Bethea (Abraham—now deceased); by his sisters, Renee Gardner and Leslie Gardner; his brother-in-law, Douglas Bethea; his uncles, Ozias Coleman and Leslie L. Coleman, Jr. (Mae Frances); his aunts, Ruth Coleman, Vashti Mann (Willie Mann, now deceased), and Seolar Young (Emerson), Katie Coleman (Willie Coleman, also deceased); his nieces, Bobbi-Renee Humphrey (Henry), Melissa Boychak, and Tameka Halsey; and a host of loving great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as his many cousins and friends, all of whom greatly loved him and will sorely miss him. He touched the lives of many others and there will be many devoted relatives and friends who will feel his absence greatly. We know of his faithful service and his love for all around him, and trust in the confidence of our hope in Jesus Christ that we shall see him yet again. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 9th, 2015 at Bethlehem Church of God, 5898 Eastern Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20011 at 8 am, Service from 10 am. Interment will follow to Fort Lincoln Cemetery at 3401 Bladensburg Rd, Brentwood , MD 20722. Arrangements by Johnson & Jenkins Funeral Home,Inc..

Robert Frank Gardner Jr.

September 12, 1954 - April 30, 2015

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Resources

Grief & Healing

Obituaries

About Us

Contact Information

Robert Frank Gardner Jr.

September 12, 1954 - April 30, 2015

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Resources

Grief & Healing

Obituaries

About Us

Contact Information