(Engineer, Veteran, & Maple Syrup Maker)
Richard K. Gardner, age 85, of Bryan, Ohio, passed away Feb. 24, 2026, at Hillside Country Living in Bryan. He was born May 30, 1940, in Bridgewater Township, Ohio, the son of Floyd and Leona (Rannels) Gardner.
He attended Bridgewater and Hayjay area schools and graduated from Camden-Frontier High School in 1958.
During high school, he was a member of the state champion cross country team and competed at the state level in the 440-yard dash and high jump in 1957 and 1958.
He continued his education at Tri-State College, graduating in 1963. Richard proudly served his country in the United States Army Signal Corps from 1963 to 1965, serving in France.
Richard worked as a design engineer for Aro Corporation for 37 years. Over the course of his career, he was awarded 20 U.S. patents for his work and innovations.
He was a charter member and past president of Northwest Territory S.A.R. and was also active in the Northwest Ohio Maple Syrup Producers Association.
He was a 50-year member of the Bridgewater Grange, where he served as past master, and was a member of Montpelier Masonic Lodge 547 and Edon Lodge 424. A Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m. during visitation.
Richard attended Bridgewater EUB and later Nettle Lake United Brethren Church. He enjoyed canoeing, hunting, fishing, and making maple syrup. He loved spending time in national parks and traveled to Canada, where he hunted moose, caribou and bear. One of his favorite outdoor adventures was floating for squirrel.
Richard was married to Linda L. Bany on Nov. 25, 1972. She preceded him in death, along with his parents.
He is survived by two daughters, Melanie (Chris) Scott of Aurora, Ohio, and Kristina (Scott) Kruthaup of Montpelier; grandchildren, Amber (Devon) Hendricks, Riley, Avery, Reagan, Brian and CJ (Alyse) Kruthaup; great-grandchildren, Karlee, Connor, Kaleb Kruthaup and James Dean Momenee; and one sister, Pat Myers.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home in Montpelier, with Masonic services at 7 p.m. Funeral services will take place Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Mike Wilder officiating. Interment will follow at Gardner Cemetery in Bridgewater Township with military rites provided by the Montpelier Veterans.
Memorial contributions may be given to Gideons International. Condolences can be left for the family at www.thethompsonfuneralhome.com.