David A. Gardner ’69

David's death in NYC on Dec. 23, 2001, evokes both a great sense of loss and an enormous sense of gratitude for an extraordinary life. Remarkably accomplished as a real estate developer, venture capitalist, and philanthropist, he will be best remembered as a superb human being. After Princeton, he received an MBA from Harvard in 1971, and he and Lynn, a business school classmate, married and forged a partnership of great devotion and success.

In 1980 David formed Gardner Capital Corp., which developed personal and residential properties in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Maryland. Among many activities, he was chair of the Citizens' Housing and Planning Council of New York and a national board member of the Muscular Dystrophy Assn., the affliction he battled courageously and effectively for many years. A leader in Princeton activities, he served as cochair of the New York region for Princeton's 250th Anniversary Campaign; repeatedly as special gifts cochair for our class; and as class vice president.

His intellect, his warmth, his captivating smile, and unfailing kindness will live on in our hearts. Our sympathy goes to Lynn and to his mother, Matilda, his sister, Cynthia, and his brother, Daniel.

The Class of 1969