Stewart E. Gardner

Stewart Eddy Gardner passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on the morning of June 13, 2026. Born in Goshen, Indiana, on November 10, 1939, Stewart was the son of Laura Reid Gardner and Stewart Franklin Gardner. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Susie Gardner.

Stewart attended Bristol High School, where he played basketball and football. However, his true passion was golf, a game at which he excelled and through which he won numerous tournaments throughout his life. One of his favorite stories came from a collegiate tournament while playing on the golf team at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. During a match-play competition, he faced a formidable opponent, Jack Nicklaus. Although Stewart was ultimately defeated, he always cherished the experience and enjoyed sharing the story.

While studying mathematics and physics at Southern Methodist University in 1963, Stewart was called to serve his country in Army Intelligence with the National Security Agency. He left SMU and entered an intensive language program at the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio of Monterey in Monterey, California, where he learned to speak fluent German in just six months.

During his service with the NSA, Stewart met the love of his life, Karin Elke Petersen. He often said that the moment she walked into the room, he knew she would become his wife. After a courtship of one year, the two were married and returned to the United States to begin their life together.

Stewart loved adventure, and he found the perfect partner in Karin. Together they earned their pilot's licenses and enjoyed flying their helicopter whenever and wherever they could. Possessing the mind of a scientist and boundless creative energy, Stewart was a lifelong inventor and entrepreneur.

In the recreational vehicle industry, Stewart founded Amerigo Campers in 1965 and sold the company in 1972. He then established Sunrader Motorhomes in 1973, leading the company until 1992. Later, he founded Gardner RNR, where he invented and patented an improved slide-out system for recreational vehicles. His innovation replaced hydraulic slide-outs with a more efficient and cost-effective electric design. Over the course of his career, Stewart was awarded more than a dozen patents and was widely recognized as an innovator in the RV industry establishing concepts like Creation Window Company and various others. He never truly retired and remained passionate about developing new ideas and products throughout his life.

Above all, Stewart was a loyal friend, loved nature, animals and his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Karin Petersen Gardner; his children, Stewart F. Gardner (Amy) and Desiree Woody (Joseph); his grandchildren, Stewart B., Alex, William, and Meg; his sister, Ann Lempke; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 -11:30 am on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 where funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Military honors will follow funeral services. A reception will follow at Elcona Country Club, 56784 CR 21, Bristol, IN 46507. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org Wounded Warrior Project https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org  or the Humane Society of Elkhart County www.elkharthumanesociety.org