continued their friendship over the years and her grandchildren considered him a grandfather. In his later years he spent his time pursuing his passion as a painter and befriended other German speaking locals, often hosting German club at the bungalow he co-habited with an elderly German lady named Mildred. Gärtner died in Loveland, Colorado in 2013. References External links 1952 Life article on rescue of the City of San Francisco train, which Gärtner mentions in his book 1920 births 2013 deaths People from Boulder, Colorado People from Świdnica German prisoners of war in World War II held by the United States People from the Province of Lower Silesia German emigrants to the United States German escapees Escapees from United States military detention