Frederick P Gartner , VRHS Class of 1964
Frederick P. Gartner, 72, the son of Marcel J. Gartner and Irma (Schweiker) Gartner passed away peacefully at home on March 1, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. Frederick was born in Albany and resided most of his life in Rensselaer, with the exception of time spent in Fairbanks, Ala. while serving in the Air Force. Frederick is survived by his wife of 50 years, Dorothy M. (Grumm) Gartner; and is the "Papa Bear" to their seven children, Peter Gartner, Marie Gray (Gerry), Keith Gartner (Kathleen), Lisa Gartner (Eric), Michelle Schroeder (Fred), Colette Cosky (Jason) and James Gartner (Angela). He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren, Ruby, Freddy, Jake, Lucas, Mikey, Sadie, Eloise, Dexter, Tristan, Savannah, Maeve; one great-grandchild, Chloe; his sisters, Denise Ryan (Tom), Linda Carpentier (David), and Christine Rebelo (John); his brother (the late) Richard Gartner and many nieces and nephews. Frederick was a graduate of Van Rensselaer High School and attended Hudson Valley Community College before enlisting in the Air Force. He married Dorothy M. Grumm in 1966, before moving to Fairbanks, where he was stationed for the U.S. Air Force. He was a lifelong, active congregant of the First Presbyterian Church in Rensselaer. He worshiped there as a child, adolescent, was married there, had all seven children baptized there, attended his children's weddings there and will make one final service there on Monday Monday, March 7. His favorite services at the church every year were Easter Sunday and Christmas Eve. Frederick was an incredibly hardworking man but always made time for his family and fun time. He loved traveling, movies, musicals and Broadway shows, drawers of candy and sweets, and even climbing jungle gyms with his grandchildren, because he always had the heart of a child. Frederick had the best sense of humor and always tried to make people laugh and smile. His joyful spirit will never be forgotten and neither will he. Heaven definitely received an angel with a heart of gold. Interment will be in the New Rural Cemetery, East Greenbush.