In Memoriam: Gardner Rowbotham ’70

Sports Illustrated highlighted him in their “Faces in the Crowd” for the two tennis titles he earned in the 1990 U.S. Transplant Games. Gar had been a three-sport athlete at Rivers and the #1 ranked tennis player at Harvard. He never allowed his health to get in the way of a good match, or a good life.

After losing his mother, maternal uncle, and several siblings to a genetic heart defect, he faced death in his early thirties from cardiomyopathy and became one of the earliest recipients, and longest survivors, at Yale New Haven Hospital’s Transplant Center. He later went on to receive and survive two kidney transplants before finally succumbing in April to medical complications.

In one of life’s strange coincidences, Gar met his wife Julie through an old tennis partner, and it turned out she was the sister-in-law of his transplant nurse, Joan Amatruda. “Despite his medical conditions, marrying Gar was an easy decision,” said Julie. “He was an excellent husband, father and partner. His personality was magnetic. Among his many gifts, Gar truly brought out the best in everyone around him. This influence was not limited to those closest to him, but included friends, colleagues and even the doctors and nurses he encountered over the years. I am privileged to have been able to watch this, and I am grateful for the 17 years we had together.”

At his funeral, Joan summed up the incredible impact that he had on those around him. “Gar tried to live every day to the fullest. He was an avid sports fan, loved the movies, and that laugh! I can hear it now! His positive attitude carried him through all of his medical struggles, especially evident these last few years. He refused to accept defeat and inspired others to live life to the fullest despite their limitations...Always supportive and encouraging, Gar had a dramatic effect on everyone he met.”

In addition to his wife, Gar leaves three grown sons, Chase, Will and Sam, as well as his and Julie’s son Reed. Chase also spoke of his father at his service, “He was our ultimate champion, our biggest fan....he gave us such confidence and when we did fail, he always greeted us with the biggest bear hug you could ever imagine.”

Gar concluded his final class note to the Riparian last winter with characteristic optimism. “Life is good, even the third act. The challenges are all worth it. Classmates, I send my best wishes and hope you are all