Martin Gardner, 75, of Lincoln, died on November 27th, in Lincoln, following a brief illness. He was surrounded by friends and family.
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Marty was a retired member of the Utah and Nebraska National Guard Bands with twenty years of service on clarinet. He attended the University of Utah, receiving his BS in 1969 and his JD in 1972, where he was editor for the Utah Law Review. He was an Instructor at the Indiana University School of Law 1972-73, and on the faculty of the University of Alabama School of Law from 1973-77. During the 1975-76 academic year Marty was a Fellow of Law at Harvard University. Marty joined the faculty at the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1977 as an Assistant Professor of Law, becoming an Associate Professor in 1978 and Professor in 1980. While at Nebraska he taught Family Law, Juvenile Law, Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure. In 1987 he was named the Steinhart Foundation Professor of Law and in 2002 the Cline Williams-Flavel A. Wright Professor of Law. His time at UNL and Alabama resulted in the publication of many articles and books, including; Understanding Juvenile Law, which is in its 5th edition. Marty also taught Family Law at Downing College, Cambridge University, UK in 2006 and 2013.
Marty cherished his family and his students. He loved the music of Ralph Vaughn Williams, Edward Elgar, Gustav Mahler, and the Bach B minor Mass. He was a fan of golf and Husker football and basketball. An active member of the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints, he was an avid reader of church history and the Holy scriptures. He attended every event or game of his grandchildren. He loved attending the Winter Quarters Temple with his wife and eternal companion, Anne.
He is survived by his wife, Anne Sheedy; children, Joshua (Paula) Gardner, Erin Gardner, Bryn Gardner (Miles Kos), Lynsey (Alex) Stewart, Jacob Gardner, stepson Max Yeston; sisters, Janice Ruth Tabish and Sharon Gardner Howes; his nine grandchildren and former spouse, Jane Murdoch. Marty is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Elaine Gardner.
Services celebrating his life will be Saturday, December 7, 2019, 10:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3000 Old Cheney Rd, Lincoln.
Donations may be made to the Lincoln Community Foundation (Faith Coalition of Lancaster County) or the Nebraska National Guard Foundation. Condolences at Wyuka.com.
I was so sorry to hear about Marty’s passing. He was a great colleague and friend, a great mentor for our students, and a great teacher and scholar. He will be missed by everyone at the Law College. A lot. My deepest condolences to Anne and his entire family.
May the blessings of your years celebrating life and achievements with Marty hold you and your family in divine and loving grace.
He achieved many milestones during his life and career as a professor…his legacy will live on beyond decades.
You are loved Anne, Marty lives on in you and your families heart
My sympathy and prayers for the Gardner family, and condolences to UNL Law and students on the loss of such a fine professor.
Mike, I remember you & fun times with your family. We have seen Jake on and off throughout the years, and a few times the past couple of months while dad was in the hospital. Thank you for your condolences. Melissa Dennis (Missy Houfek)
Professor Gardner was a great mentor and professor to myself and countless other students. He was an amazing man and will be missed. I extend my deepest condolences to the entire Gardner family.
Marty is a great man and a guy that always had time for everyone around. He will be greatly missed. There were many times that I was able to just sit down with Marty during the business of law school and find solace in his kind assurances and easy manner. I had the great pleasure of spending time with Marty outside of law school in church functions as well as recruitment and he was always so pleasant. He was a force for good in every aspect of his life. My time in Lincoln would have not been as wonderful without Marty. We were recently discussing his plans to partially retire in the next few years when I asked what that meant to “partially retire” to which he quickly responded that he didn’t know what he would do with himself if he didn’t have a class to teach and an office to go and putter around in. I will miss his laugh, quick wit and friendship. I have nothing but love for him and his family. Big HUGS until we meet again.
I am so sorry for the family’s loss. I really enjoyed Professor Gardner as a student. I loved coming back to campus and catching up with him. He still one of the smartest people I ever knew and he was equally caring and compassionate. He will be missed both by you and his family at the UNL College of Law.
He may have given me nightmares about his 1 on 1 conversation during criminal procedure. However, once he finally called on me and we talked about the law for 90 minutes, it was one of my favorite memories of law school. Also – still not sure about his preference between the Utes and Cougars but we both agreed that we like the Huskers. I will miss you Professor Gardner.
I am so sorry to hear this news. Professor Gardner was one of my very favorite professors in law school. I will always remember his skillful teaching and his kindness. My condolences to his family and to the UNL family.
While I never had Professor Gardner as a professor, he was instrumental in recruiting me to the law school as well as many other Latter-day Saint law students. He was a great legal mind and even better disciple of Christ. My deep condolences.
Prof Gardner was one of the reasons I attended UNL law. He was very welcoming and made my family feel very comfortable in our visits. We were so glad we made the choice.
Prof Gardner was a also a great man. He was always there when needed.
My heart goes out to his family.
We are so sorry and we will miss Marty as we send our love to Anne.
Professor Gardner’s passing came as a shock to me as I am sure it did to all. He is the reason, in large part, that I ended up attending UNL for law school. I remember meeting him at the Law Fair at my undergraduate university. He was a wonderful professor, a faithful member of his Church, and a wise friend with more than just knowledge of the law. I send my heartfelt condolences to all of his many friends and to his family facing the difficult task of grieving and coping. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Anne-
We saddened to learn of Martin’s passing. We so enjoyed our evening together at Trinity College Evensong in 2012 when we were stunned to run into fellow Nebraskans while in queue. Our prayers are with you.
Prof. Gardner was always able to walk the fine line of having our respect, yet making class both enjoyable and challenging. He will be missed!
I was saddened to hear of Marty’s passing. We have been friends since 1965 and there are many great memories of our time together. He was a kind and gentle man and accomplished so much in his life. He leaves a great legacy for his family and his example and love will live on in his children and grandchildren. May God bless every member of his family with hope and faith as they cope with his loss.
We are heartbroken to have lost Marty, a true icon and dear friend.
Our sincere condolences go out to Anne, their family, and many friends.
Sincerely, Ken and Sue Hraban
I was so sorry to hear of Professor Gardner’s passing. My condolences to the Gardner family. I cherish my law school times and Professor Gardner was a part of that time. He will be greatly missed. Glenda Lanik class of 1983
Very sad to hear of Prof. Gardner’s passing. He was a great credit to UNL Law School. He was very fair and understanding. He never let his personal opinions enter into his teachings and he was very giving of his time. He was an exceptional man and he will be missed by all who knew him.
Marty was a wonderful colleague and even more importantly a kind and compassionate friend. He always had a comforting word to say and was very generous of spirit. He humbly and unobtrusively gave his all for the benefit of the Law College, his students, and his colleagues. He will be deeply missed.
Many years ago, I was a secretary at the Law School. Professor Gardner was one that I assisted and typed papers for. After all these years, I remember him due to his kindness to me and his students. I always learned something from the papers he wrote and I typed. To this day, I have mentioned several aspects of his works in conversation. My thoughts are with his family.
May God’s blessings of comfort and love rest upon Anne and her husband, Marty.
with much love