Robert "Bob" Nicholas Gardner Obituary

Robert Nicholas "Bob" Gardner, 91, of Winter Park, Florida, died peacefully at home on January 14, 2026. He was born on May 20, 1934, in Muncie, Kansas, to Jess and Julia (Henry) Gardner, the sixth of eight boys.

The "growing up" stories parents tell—walking miles uphill both ways to school, working farm fields before dawn, sleeping on the dining room floor, and storing food in a dirt cellar—were, in Bob's case, all true. Those early years forged an extraordinary work ethic and deep resilience. Smart and highly motivated, Bob graduated early from St. Joe's Catholic grade school and high school in Shawnee, Kansas, and later completed his degree at St. Louis University in 1955.

Bob went on to serve three years as an officer in the United States Army, graduating from Officer Candidate School, as a Distinguished Military Graduate.

On January 3, 1958, Bob married Patricia Van Dyke. In his own words, Patty "meant everything to me and certainly made me a better person than I might otherwise have been." Their marriage of 68 years was rooted in shared faith, mutual respect, and a love of life's adventures—hunting, skiing, and golf among them—creating lasting memories with friends and family.

Bob's professional life centered on construction and real estate development, but his influence extended far beyond titles or positions. He began his career with the Wuesthoff Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before moving to Central Florida in 1968, where he and his brother Joe co-founded Condev Corporation, a mainstay of Central Florida real estate to this day. Bob was a pillar of the community and a trusted voice whose judgment, integrity, and steady presence were widely respected. Leaders, colleagues, and friends sought his counsel knowing his guidance was thoughtful, measured, and grounded in doing what was right rather than what was easy.

Bob served on the Board of Directors of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch in Sarasota, Florida, developer of Lakewood Ranch, and was Chairman for multiple years. He was also a co-founder of Interlachen Country Club in Winter Park. Bob believed leadership was an obligation to serve. He accepted commitments thoughtfully, honored them fully, and led not by volume or ego, but through consistency, integrity, and follow-through.

In addition, Bob served on the boards of Rollins College, Winter Park Hospital, the Winter Park Hospital Foundation, the Mayflower Retirement Community, Barnett Bank of Central Florida, and numerous boards and committees for the Catholic Diocese of Orlando and St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. His decisions reflected humility, responsibility, and a genuine concern for people. In recognition of his dedication and service to the Catholic Church, Bob was awarded a papal medal in 2008 and named a Knight of St. Gregory the Great.

Service was the cornerstone of Bob and Patty's life together. From fostering newborn babies to opening their home as a welcoming place for countless friends of their children, their belief in family and community was lived daily. Bob taught by example. To this day, his children continue to hear stories that begin with, "Your dad helped me." He did not seek recognition or the spotlight, yet quietly did much for many. His presence brought confidence, his word brought clarity, and those around him felt steadier simply having him in the room.

Bob lived life fully and intentionally, guided by faith and family. His deep and abiding Catholic faith shaped his life, his leadership, and his love for others, and was shared fully with his wife and passed on to his children. To many he was Bob; to his children, Dad; and to his grandchildren, Bops.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Patricia Gardner of Winter Park, Florida; three daughters and two sons; sixteen grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren (so far): Julie (Ryan) Burrow of Winter Park, Florida, and their children Andy (Brittney), Peter (Zoe), and Will; Robert "Bobby" (Wendy) Gardner of Winter Park, Florida, and their children Catherine, Nicholas, and John; Nancy (Blake) Wigdale of Boca Grande, Florida, and their children Emily (Jason), Abby, and Maggie; Katie Brumder of Chenequa, Wisconsin, and her children Bradley (Eddie), Ellery (Quentin), Karley (Anthony), Lexi (Mark), and Eily; and Peter Gardner of Winter Park, Florida, and his children Caldwell and Griffin.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park, Florida, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026. Reception to follow at Interlachen Country Club. In a lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to AdventHealth Hospice of Orlando, Aurora Home Hospice of Milwaukee, or St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church.

Bob Gardner leaves behind a legacy of faith, family, service, and quiet leadership that made communities stronger and lives better simply because he was part of them.