He was born in 1941 to Eleanor Jane Von Kleeck (nee Bricker) and Ralph Edward Von Kleeck in Darby, Pennsylvania. He was adopted by Raymond R. Gardner and Eleanor Jane Gardner (nee Von Kleek). He grew up in Lycoming County in western Pennsylvania.
Ed served in the United States Air Force from 1960 to 1964 and was a communications center specialist. He next graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a Bachelor of Science degree in business management with a minor in mathematics. He spent most of his career as a systems management and performance specialist. Ed retired from Lockheed Martin and went on to work as a consultant. He was an instructor for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000 Principles When Auditing and was a certified software quality engineer. Ed also established his own veteran-owned consulting business.
Ed was a member of New Hope Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers, Florida. Any donations in Ed’s name may be directed to New Hope Presbyterian.
