August 22, 2003 — James H. Gardner, former dean at the David Eccles School of Business, died yesterday at the age of 79. He was a valuable teacher and administrator at the U and will be missed by his many friends and colleagues.

Gardner was born in Salt Lake City on May 14, 1924. He graduated from East High School (1940), the University of Utah (B.S. in Chemical Engineering, 1947), and Harvard University (Ph. D. in Chemistry, 1951), and served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. He joined what is now the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah as a professor of management and later served as dean of the school from 1980 to 1983. He received the University Distinguished Teaching Award in 1986 and was a recipient of the school’s Distinguished Service and Rosenblatt awards.

According to Jack Brittain, dean of the David Eccles School of Business, “Jim was a personal friend and trusted advisor. He was also a dedicated scholar and teacher who was proud to have many contributions in both areas and who never stopped being interested in the U and its students. His many friends, colleagues and students will miss him greatly.”

Jim is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Ann (Middy) Palmer Gardner, three children and six grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at the Evans & Early Mortuary (574 E. 100 S.) at 11 a.m. on Sat. Aug. 23. The family has asked that donations be made to the University of Utah for the existing James H. and Mary Ann Gardner scholarship at either the Department of History or the David Eccles School of Business.