Roy Gardner's page

Dr. Roy Gardner (Indiana University and Kyiv School of Economics) unexpectedly passed away on Monday, January 10.

Dr. Roy Gardner taught at KSE since 1996 and served as KSE Academic Director between 2002 and 2010. Over the years, he was one of the driving forces behind KSE's academic development. Being the sole KSE senior faculty member, he mentored and guided KSE's junior faculty. Roy's work and reputation provided a quality stamp for the School and contributed academic credibility to the School’s academic programs.

Roy had agreed to become a full time faculty member at KSE from January 2011.

We will miss him, his advice, his friendship and his joyful Russian.

Read more about Roy Gardner

The memories by friends, colleagues, and students of Dr. Roy Gardner:

"Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel. First I met Professor Roy Gardner as a student in the MA Program in Kyiv in 1999. And what struck me then was his believe in people, in their kindness and good intentions. He was one of the best Teachers (not only in game theory) whom I will remember forever. Then I encountered him at the interview when I applied for a job in Kyiv. He was frank but optimistic and encouraging, and his faith in the future of the Kyiv School of Economics is what brought me back to Ukraine and what helped me through some of the difficult times we have been through. This January Roy has started as a full-time faculty at the KSE and lots of plans have been discussed related to his new appointment exciting all the faculty with having his wisdom, optimism and good nature on-board full-time. Roy is already greatly missed as a Teacher and as a Colleague. We will cherish the memories of the times Roy was among us."

Olena Nizalova, KSE Assistant Professor

"Roy was my thesis advisor back in 2002 and I really enjoyed time working together. One of the best mentors I ever had!"

Roman Dzvinka, EERC/KSE' 2002

"He was a great person and a dear friend to me. He will live in my memories and my heart. I am sure many people who met him can say the same."

Yuliya Demyanyk, EERC/KSE' 2001

"I would like to express my sincere and deepest condolence to Professor Gardner's family. This is a big loss for all of us. I remember Roy as my lecturer in game theory when I was a student at EERC in 2002-2004. His excellent expertise in the field, his helpful and friendly attitude to us I will never forget. Personally to me Professor Roy Gardner helped a lot when I applied for a PhD Programme in 2006 - his recommendation and his helpfulness did play a big role in my academic life. Last year it was my great pleasure to work with him as my primary expert of my project at the EERC research competition. His friendly attitude, patience and valuable advice inspired me for the whole year and I do appreciate and remember this. Thank you, Professor Gardner, for your patience, your advice, your friendliness and your cheerful character. I was so lucky to meet you and I will miss you a lot. "

Kateryna Onishchenko, EERC/KSE' 2004

"That's something unbelievable!!!!!!! Roy, always full of energy and excitement, passed away! That sounds simply impossible!"

Maxym Kryshko, EERC/KSE' 2001

"Roy was one of the best teachers in my life and a very good man as well."

Dmitri Kuzmenko, EERC/KSE' 2004

"It is difficult to imagine EERC and KSE without Roy Gardner’s passionate support of the program, its students and faculty. We were friends and colleagues for the past decade-- meeting first at NaUKMA and later at annual student thesis defenses at EERC where I served as the external reviewer of the theses. Roy’s loyalty to EERC is evidenced by his willingness to step in and offer his time and professional credibility when needed for the health or survival of the program during many crises in its 15 years of existence. He did this despite his full-time career in Indiana. How he managed while simultaneously being a productive scholar, a distinguished professor and dedicated teacher and mentor to his IU students as well, is a feat that seemed impossible to me. I doubt there are many other professors on either side of the Atlantic who have placed more students in top graduate programs and later assisted many of these same students in achieving their first professional positions.

On a personal note, he was one of my few friends who would immediately answer emails no matter where he was or what time zone he happened to be in This seeming ability to never sleep helps explain how he was able to accomplish so much good in his too short life."

Joyce Gleason, Associate Professor of Economics at Nebraska Wesleyan University

"It was not my fortune to know Roy as a teacher but it was a pleasure to know him as a colleague on KSE's International Advisory Board and then when he moved to the KSE faculty. Roy epitomized commitment and caring - for his students first, and then for the program. As an advisor, he was realistic and sharp-eyed, but also optimistic and open-minded. I was honored to know him and will miss him very much; KSE has lost a great friend."

Charles M. Becker, Associate Chair and Research Professor at Duke University

"I participated in the EERC/KSE RSEP summer schools in 2005-07 and Prof Roy Gardner was one of the most favorite instructors in the program. By bringing energy and wit into the classroom he would make the course a pleasant learning experience. His smart jokes and joyful style of lecturing is smth we will always remember of him. It is a big loss for KSE and for all of his students.

My sincere condolences to his family and KSE faculty and staff."

Zaur Mammadov, EERC/KSE RSEP summer school participant 2005-07

"We were deeply saddened to hear the news about the sudden death of Dr. Roy Gardner. We all send you our deepest sympathies. We sure that those of us who had professional contact with Dr. Roy Gardner will long cherish his memory."

HESP Summer School participants, Vladimir Popov, Ekaterina Vostrikova,

Astrakhan State University

"I am very sad to hear that Prof. Gardner has passed away.

Since I first met him when I was Assistant Professor at the University of Bonn and later as a visiting faculty at EERC I highly liked and respected him both as a person and of course professionally. He also was a nice person and always an inspiration. I am also thankful for his professional guidance."

Dr. Stefan Lutz, Senior Manager, KPMG AG

"It was with great regret that I heard about Roy Gardner's death. Roy was a mainstay of the EERC Program almost throughout its existemce - as a leader in teaching, research, and management. He was totally devoted to the enterprise, and could always be countd on to provide advice, aid and support. The Hebrew sages had a term for a person like Roy- "A Scholar and Soldier"; and Roy excelled indeed in both capacities. He will be sorely missed."

Dr. Michael Michaely, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Roy Gardner's memorial gallery