Birth date: Jan 16, 1957 Death date: Feb 23, 2018
James A. Gartner James (Jim) Gartner passed away unexpectedly earlier this year in Wako, Japan. He was born the son of Dale and Marie (Jungwirth) Gartner of Oshkosh, WI on January 16, 1957. Jim graduated from UW-Oshkosh, and soon Read Obituary
I know that Jim would deliver a roundhouse to my solar plexus if I ever wrote anything too sentimental here, but too bad Jim. You were probably the best friend I ever had. We had some pretty good times back in our Oshkosh days, hanging out in your apartment near Rainbow Park; you, me, and Bill Angermeyer jumping out of the window into the giant snowbank below. That epic bike ride to Devil's Lake State Park, 12 hours of riding, chased by 11 farm dogs along the way. All the great times we had at Copps, how we didn't get fired I still don't know. Road trips down to Milwaukee or Madison for concerts. Our self-styled "Bull Day" at Milwaukee's Summerfest, drinking Schlitz Malt Liquor and enjoying live music all day. Along with you, Chris Pickering, Steve Smits, Billy Angermeyer, Mike Brasch--these were some of the best times of my life. To use one of your lines that I'm sure you stole from someone else, you were a Gentleman and a Scholar. After I left for Madison and you left for Japan, I guess we sort of drifted apart. But I remember all those good times like they were yesterday. Gonna miss you buddy.
I am so truly sad to hear of Jim’s passing. Jim and I became friends at UW-O through language classes, remained friends for years afterward and shared many laughs. I’d visited and traveled with him in Japan in the mid-90’s, and over time and distance we fell out of touch. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to locate him again in recent years, even reaching out to some of the schools and students in Japan to see if I could track him down. I was absolutely heartbroken to see this news. …He was a great guy, a dear friend, and holds a special spot in my heart and memories. I miss him. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.
Jim and I were great friends for many years! We did a lot together with wrestling, riding around in our cars, my Beetle convertible and his Beetle, 55 Chevy an Camaro. We stayed friends during college and did a lot with our friends Smits, Brasch, Angermeyer, Pellinger, and many others. We shared a house near UW-O with Angermeyer and had great times there. The last time I saw Jim was at my wedding when he stood up in it! He was a great friend and I wish we could have remained I better touch, but he was so far away! I will truly miss him, and I wish my deepest condolences to his family! He was a wonderful man and friend!
