Joseph V. Gardner

Joseph Vincent Gardner, 74, of Fishertown, passed away on Friday, October 19, 2018, at UPMC Altoona Hospital.  He was born on November 23, 1943, in Bedford, the oldest son of the late Joseph D. and Marian (Reese) Gardner. On January 11, 1964, he married Sharon (Boor) Gardner, who survives along with a daughter, Allison Christine Shroyer, and husband Raymond of Berlin; three grandchildren: Taylor Marie (Fyfe) Carthew, and husband Ben, Brady Vincent Fyfe, and Alicia White; three brothers: John Gardner and wife Paula, of San Mateo, FL, Tim Gardner and wife Pat, of Bedford, and Tom Gardner and wife Terese, of Jacksontown, OH; and a sister, Patricia Horner and husband Bob, of Ocala, FL.

Joe graduated from Bedford in 1961, served in the U.S. Coast Guard four years, and went on to earn his Ph.D. in the Earth Sciences. He taught at IU-Purdue, Fort Wayne, Ind., and Arizona State University, Tempe, before entering the business world. He owned an Amateur Radio retail store and then worked for Motorola’s MARS, a Remote Sensing company in Phoenix, Ariz.; in Maryland he interpreted Earth satellite data for Northrop Grumman; in a NASA facility in Fairmont, W.Va., he worked on NASA projects and helped create their internet education site, the Observatorium. Also in Fairmont, he became Director of Research at the Institute for Scientific Research. Early medical retirement brought Joe back to Bedford County where he served on the boards of the Bedford County Historical Society and Old Bedford Village. His interests included Amateur Radio, historical reenactments, and restoring his two British MGBs. He enjoyed his grandchildren, Bluegrass music, and his long-haired gray cat, Shadow.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 26, 2018 at 11:00 a.m., in the Chapel at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, in Bedford, with Rev. David Weinhold officiating.  Friends will be received on Thursday, from 5-7 p.m., at the funeral home, and one hour prior to the service on Friday.  In lieu of flowers those wishing may make memorial contributions in Joseph’s name to: Bedford County Historical Society, 6441 Lincoln Highway, Bedford, PA 15522.