Ronald L. Gardner, 90 of Newark, Delaware went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.  Ron was born on September 17, 1932, to the late Mildred Gardner in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation from High School, he was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Korea.  While there he became an interpreter and spoke fluent Mandarin. When he returned to the states he went to Junior college in Maryland where he met the love of his life, Joan Schaffer. He and Joan married and moved to Delaware in 1966.

Ron started his career at ILC Industries in Dover where he was involved in the making of spacesuits.  He later worked at Greatglas in Wilmington and then he formed his own company, Kromaco in Kemblesville, PA.

Ron always wanted to give back to the community and became very involved with the City of Newark.  He started his service with the City in 1970 as councilman for District 5 for 7 years (5 of which he served as Deputy Mayor) He served 13 years as a member of the City Planning Commission (6 of which he served as chairman or vice chairman), Chairman of City Charter Committee, City Council Representative on the Town and Gown Committee.  His final job with the City was as Mayor of Newark.  He held that position from 1989 until he retired in 1998 after serving 3 terms.

He has been a member of The Newark Country Club since 1989 where he was an avid golfer.  He also held positions on the Board including President. Ron also serve as a former president of the Fairfield Crest Civic Association, and former president of the Newark White Clay Kiwanis.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers for all they have done in making Ron’s last year’s comfortable.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Gardner, his two granddaughters, Stephanie Bomberger (Matt) and Megan Clifton (Colton) and two great grandchildren, Logan, and Amelia Bomberger.  He is also survived by his sister, Gwen Bricker; two nieces and one nephew, and his dear friend and caregiver, Mary Savona, and her family.

In addition to his mother, Ron is preceded in death by his daughter, Kristi Williams.

A visitation will be held on May 18^th at 10:00 am at First Presbyterian Church, 292 West Main St, Newark, DE, with a service starting at 11:00 am. Interment will be private. In Lieu of flowers please make donations in Ron’s memory to First Presbyterian Church or Aetna Emergency Unit, and sent in care of R.T. Foard & Jones, Inc., 122 W. Main Street, Newark, DE 19711.