[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 9 (Thursday, January 24, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S276-S277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING THEODORE GARDNER

 Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of 
Theodore ``Ted'' Harbison Gardner. He was a devoted husband, father, a 
proud veteran of the U.S. Navy and a consummate

[[Page S277]]

community volunteer whose contributions will have long lasting impacts 
in the Greater Cincinnati community, and beyond.
  Born and raised in Hillsboro, OR, Mr. Gardner was the only child of 
Vesey Gardner, a prominent community leader and a lumber company owner, 
and Ruth Gardner, a popular singer. He is a graduate of Oregon State 
University.
  A proud and decorated veteran of World War II, Mr. Gardner withdrew 
from college to serve in the U.S. Navy the day after the attack on 
Pearl Harbor. He survived one of the largest and most brutal battles in 
history--The Battle off Samar--earning his unit aboard the USS Kalinin 
Bay the Presidential Unit Citation, one of the Navy's highest honors.
  Ted was an active member of the U.S. Navy League, The Hornet 
Foundation, and was a member of the advisory board of the Warbird 
Museum. He was passionate about the importance of oral history and 
personally interviewed over 150 World War II veterans and recorded and 
videotaped their stories for the Cincinnati Public Library and for the 
U.S. Library of Congress.
  Following his graduation from Oregon State University, Mr. Gardner 
got a job with a lumber distributor in Columbus, OH and then later 
moved to Cincinnati, where he and his wife, Naomi, raised their three 
children. Mr. Gardner changed careers in the 1970s and worked as a 
local art dealer until he retired.
  Ted was a 30-year member of the Cincinnati Rotary Club, where he was 
involved in programs to welcome international students studying at area 
universities and where he participated in events benefiting children 
with disabilities and youth in government.
  A talented musician, Mr. Gardner shared his vocal talents as a member 
of the Rotary chorus, the choir of the Church of the Redeemer and the 
Cincinnati May Festival Chorus, where he served as a board member. For 
25 years, he sang all four verses of ``Taps'' in his rich bass voice on 
Veterans Day at the public library.
  Ted was an historian, a lover of art and literature, a musician and 
an avid sports enthusiast. He is greatly missed, and his extraordinary 
legacy and giving spirit will not be forgotten.

                          ____________________