Because of George Gardner's foresight and diligent efforts, the Retriever Field Trial News became a national publication and was Incorporated in January of 1965. He became its Secretary-Treasurer after recruiting a superior Board of Directors. The common goal, to provide field trialers with a first-class publication, caused a close comradeship between its Staff members - it was with much regret that George's resignation was accepted at the end of 1970.

The Gardners' long association with retrievers, and field trialing, began in the mid-1940's. Their kennel Nelgard, In Evanston, Illinois, bred such fine dogs as FC Nelgard's Counterpoint, labrador male; FC-AFC Nelgard's King Tut, chesapeake male and FC-AFC-CFC Nelgard's Baron, chesapeake male, who broke his dam's record, as High Point Chesapeake, with 43 Open All-Age points in three years.

George Gardner's concern was with the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. In 1946, he bought Tigger of Clipper City, a female. She made her Field Championship and competed in the 1947 National, handled by Charles Morgan. Dr. Gardner spent so much time at the Morgan Kennel, that he was thought of as "Chuck's new kennel boy." The 1949 National saw George as the handler.

Dr. Gardner began judging trials in 1950 and is remembered for his stamina. He shunned heavy clothing and, even in the coldest weather, never wore a hat. His judging career encompassed 97 trials.

George Gardner gave much of himself to field trialing. He was very active, in various organizations, as an Officer or Director. The 1952 National Championship Stake witnessed his expertise, as Field Trial Chairman, making the trial run "like clockwork". He was the National Retriever Club Vice-President in 1953; its President in 1954 and Secretary-Treasurer from 1958 to 1968. He was the fifth recipient of the Martin J. Hogan Award, presented to the person, in the Mid-West, who had at all times displayed good sportsmanship and made the greatest contribution to the advancement of any or all retriever breeds and retriever field trials. In the Fall of 1964 George became a member of a Special Committee, to study Hip Dysplasia, which founded the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals - and became a Director member of that Foundation.

All of the time that Dr. Gardner was active with his retriever enterprises, he kept up his practice as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist in the Chicago, Illinois area. He served as President of a group of one hundred select Gynecologists from around the nation. Beginning in 1968, he became Chairman of the OB/GYN Board at the Northwestern University Medical School. He later became Professor Emeritus. Recently a "Million Dollar" Chair was dedicated, in his name, at that University.

RFTN December 1984