Timothy Gardner

A Life Well Lived

Timothy Nelson Gardner was born to Steven V Gardner and Polly Harrison Gardner in Dayton, Ohio on April 16, 1956.  From his elementary school years at Episcopal School outside of  Philadelphia, PA, his intellectual acumen was apparent, leading to his acceptance at Deerfield Academy. An equally strong adventurous streak  summoned him to the University of Colorado to ski, run rivers and obtain a pilot’s license while earning his BA. Always confident, he postponed a job search for 12 months so that he could execute his plan to captain a 50-foot wooden sailboat across the Atlantic to Europe. A science and numbers guy, celestial navigation with a sextant came naturally to him, however, it was indeed a relief to find himself and crew in sight of the island of Majorca on the very day he anticipated.

This combination of credentials sufficiently intrigued the Bank of Montreal in Chicago (fka The Harris Bank), where he was offered a spot in the selective commercial banking training program, while earning his MBA from Northwestern University on nights and weekends.  During his five years at the bank, he succeeded in convincing an equally adventuresome fellow trainee, Deborah S Froeb, to become his wife.  This dynamic duo returned to Colorado in 1983 to build their life together. Tim and Deb raised two sons, Benjamin (Ben) and Augustus (Gus) Gardner, becoming members of and contributors to multiple communities along the way.  Beneficiaries of Tim’s time and talent include St. Anne’s Episcopal School where he served on the board and as chair for 10 years, St. Elizabeth’s School (devoted trustee), and the Reisher Scholarship Committee at The Denver Foundation, (Chair). His willingness to step in and lead a challenging initiative was renowned.  A quick study, he was patient in bringing along others and creating a solutions-oriented mindset.  This was equally demonstrated in his leadership of infrastructure projects in his beloved summer community of Northport Point, Michigan, resulting in state-of-the-art water and sewer service to over 100 homes.

After a successful tenure at William Blair and Company in Denver, Tim applied his intellect and engineering aptitude to entrepreneurial opportunities in Colorado’s rapidly emerging technology sector.  Cumulatively, this experience prepared him for the biggest and most rewarding challenge of his life in 2013 as the Chief Financial Officer of the emerging Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine on the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus. Over seven years Tim played a lead role at the Center and in developing and launching the state-of-the-art Gates Biomanufacturing Facility where a staff of 60 now work to develop and manufacture innovative research discoveries into safe and effective cell and biologic products for human clinical trials.

Somehow, between all of his work, community and family commitments, Tim managed to pursue his passions of flying his Cessna Skymaster, upland game hunting with his cherished Labradors, fishing and skiing with family and friends and supporting his CU Buffs and Denver Broncos.  In all of his pursuits, Tim’s quick wit, sense of humor, integrity and generosity enhanced many lives, and he will be missed mightily.

A memorial service for Tim will be held on May 20 at 2:30pm in the gardens of St Anne’s Episcopal School.  A reception will follow the service.  If a donation in Tim’s memory is desired, the family suggests the St Anne’s or St Elizabeth’s Schools, Urban Peak, Step 13 or Trout Unlimited.