Richard D. “Dickey” Gardner

Richard D. "Dickey" Gardner, age 93 of Mpls. Born October 8, 1932 and passed away on February 9, 2026.

Preceded in death by his parents, George and Elizabeth; brother, Don; sister, Dorothy; his loving wife, Vera; and his son, Steven.
He is survived by his daughter, Debi; son, Doug; along with three granddaughters and five great-grandsons with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Richard was a 1951 graduate of Roosevelt High School and educated at the University of MN, Minneapolis CC, Mankato State University, Associate Degree in law enforcement just 4 credits shy of his B.S. degree and a life member of the AM Vets Post #1.
A timeline with some of Richard's important life events are:
Feb. 1952-Mid-Continent Airlines (later changed to Braniff)
Dec. 1952 Enlisted in the ASA (Army Security Agency)
Jun. 1953 Graduated ASA school Ft. Devens
Aug. 1953 Assigned to Herzo Base Germany, attained rank of Staff Sargent
Sep. 1955 Returned to the U.S. and was honorably discharged
Oct. 1955 Braniff Airways, attained rank of senior mechanic with A&P license
Jan. 1962 Joined the Minneapolis Police Academy
Sep. 1997 Retired with EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), FTD (Field Training officer), ERU (Emergency Response Unit-SWAT)