Norbert W. Gartner

Norbert W. Gartner, Jr. died peacefully after a short illness on April 2, 2014 in Tucson, Arizona. He was born September 20, 1933 in Hammond, Indiana, the eldest son of the late Norbert and Catherine Gartner. He is preceded in death by his brother, William Gartner. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Sharon; his daughter, Lora Gartner; his brother Joseph Gartner; and stepchildren John (Patricia) Malloy, Maureen (Mario) Calderara, Patricia Malloy, Raymond Alan, Nyssah Raye, Jane Ford, Carrie Burrell and Rebecca Hull. He attended Saint Edward's High School in Austin, Texas and graduated from Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond, Indiana. He furthered his education through the study of Music Performance in Piano at the Vandercook School of Music in Chicago, Illinois and the University of Arizona. Norbert was a member of the Epsilon Theta Chapter Sinfonia Honor Fraternity at the University. He later served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Far East during the Korean War and was awarded numerous medals. He assumed leadership of the Gartner Roofing Company in Hammond, Indiana until his retirement in 1995, when he moved to Tucson. His retirement years were devoted to service to God and the Community. He was a Stephen Minister at Fountain of Life Lutheran Church and Mount Zion Lutheran Church in Tucson. He was a member of the VFW in Hammond, Indiana, the American Legion and the Marine Corps League of Tucson. He attended the local Citizen's Police Academy and volunteered with the Tucson Police Department for many years. He also served with the Pima County Sheriff's Auxiliary through membership in Pima Council on Aging's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Norbert received the President's Highest Civilian Award for Community Service in Volunteering and Marine General F.G. Payne wrote and thanked Norbert for his success in assisting our community and service to our Nation. Additionally, Norbert was a Board Member of the Tucson Park West III Neighborhood Association. He supported a variety of charities, primarily those that provide care to Veterans of the Armed Forces. His love of music permeated his life and he attended the opera, the symphony and other musical performances. A memorial service celebrating the life and work of Norbert Gartner will be held Saturday, April 19th at 1:30 p.m. at Mount Zion Lutheran Church 4520 West Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ. His final resting place will be in the St. John-St. Joseph Cemetery in Hammond, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations in his name to Mount Zion Lutheran Church.