Merritt Gardner, retired mathematics professor, dies at age 87

Merritt Gardner, retired professor of mathematics, died Wednesday, December 30. He was 87 years old.

Gardner joined the Goshen College faculty as a mathematics professor in 1969, and taught for 29 years. He and his family led Study-Service Term (SST) groups in Haiti in 1973-74.

Along with his firm grounding in mathematics, Gardner brought to the Mathematics Department a strong sense of professional integrity. He was at the forefront of changes in the teaching of mathematics that integrated the use of technology, calculators and computers, developing his own software as needed.

“Merritt was committed to developing mathematical and technological skills in his students, but he was not a one-dimensional person by any means,” said Ron Milne, professor emeritus of mathematics and colleague. “Former math majors remember his care for their spiritual lives as well as their professional lives. Others remember his support for their participation in music and theater; and his own participation in those areas modeled a well-rounded life. It was my privilege to be his colleague for 22 years.”

Gardner was born on April 4, 1934, in New York City to William H. and Katharine (Post) Gardner. On March 26, 1961, he married Ruth Ann Liechty at First Mennonite Church in Berne, Indiana. The Gardners met while serving from 1958-60 as Mennonite Central Committee volunteer teachers in Newfoundland, Canada, where he did alternative service as a member of the Society of Friends.

Gardner graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University in 1956, a master’s degree in education from Columbia University in 1957 and a Ph.D from Penn State University in 1968.

After moving to Goshen, the Gardners became active members at Assembly Mennonite Church in its early days of formation. They were leaders in the outreach and Sunday worship on Goshen College campus. Their home was a place of welcome and hospitality for countless students and newcomers over the years.

After retirement, Gardner studied biblical Hebrew and Greek at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. He met regularly with an informal group at AMBS who honed their skills of these ancient languages by sharing their translations of biblical texts. Gardner’s translation of Psalm 23 became a favorite at Assembly Mennonite. Gardner was also known for his deep and resonant reading voice and delighted in reading scripture during worship services. He spent many hours translating biblical texts and creating readers’ theater of biblical stories.

Gardner enjoyed using his theatrical skills in plays at Goshen College, local theater productions, and summer Bible school dramas.

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Ruth Ann, and five children: Tim (Michelle Rago) Gardner ’90 of Bronxville, New York; Jon (Anne) Gardner of Greenbelt, Maryland; Angela Gardner ’88 of Princeton, N.J.; Christa (Dwayne Lawler) Gardner ’06 of Bentonville, Arkansas; and Dan (Patrick Miller) Gardner of Atlanta. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren, one sister, Frances Kelly, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gardner was preceded in death by his parents and sister Priscilla Gardner.

A Zoom memorial service will be held Jan. 15 at 1 p.m., with a slideshow remembrance starting at 12:50 p.m. The link for the service is https://zoom.us/j/9995275153.

Memorial donations can be made to Goshen College.