Traverse City, MI - Leslie Robert Gildarski passed from this life on April 11, 2025, in the neighborhood of his youth. He was the son of Leslie M. Gildarski and Margaret E. (Bickler) Gildarski.

Les was born in Traverse City on August 19, 1943. He attended Elmwood and Willow Hill Elementary Schools and Traverse City Junior High and Senior High Schools.

In 1964 he graduated from Northwestern Michigan College with an Associate Degree in Engineering.

In 1969 he graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture with honors.

Les moved to the Denver area of Colorado where he worked for Woodmoor Corporation and was responsible for design implementation of an 12,000 acre residential and recreational project near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He later worked for PBR, Inc., in Englewood, Colorado. He was responsible for the design of a variety of residential, recreational and commercial projects at state and local levels. In 1977, he established his own company offering detailed landscape design and construction for a wide variety of residential and commercial projects.

As an infant, Les faced the challenges of Polio. It left him with physical reminders of the illness for the rest of his life. He developed a physical regimen, intense workouts in the gym and a vigorous pursuit of outdoor activities. Western life suited him well. He enjoyed riding his horses and hunting, fishing and camping in the mountains.

In 1998, Les returned to Traverse City, bringing his mother back to live in the family home. Les cared for his mother until her passing in 2000. He remained active in residential landscape design, implementing his own work on many homes in the neighborhood and beyond. In 2007, his beautifully landscaped yard was included in the Friendly Garden Club's annual garden walk. The yard, with many varieties of Japanese Maple trees, and flowering shrubs and perennials, surrounding the huge rock fountain he created, is still admired by passersby.

On Les' return to Traverse City, he reunited with childhood friend, Harriet Davis, and they became lifelong companions. They spent their time kayaking, rollerblading and exploring local nature and landscapes with their cameras.

With his keen eye for lighting and composition, Les created many beautiful photographs with his Nikon SLR camera. In later years, he recalled memories of the West, creating fantastic pastel landscapes which are treasured by family and friends.

Les is survived by his companion, Harriet Davis, her daughter, Laura Czaja-Robinson, and granddaughters Xandria (Travis) Kornacki and Morgan Robinson. He is also survived by his sister Lynn (Orville) Hansen, his niece Rachelle (Ruben) Elias and nephew Bryan (Dana) Hansen

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Les was therapy person for his rescue Doberman, Retta, who survives him and still watches for him every day.

Les was a familiar figure around his neighborhood, mowing lawns, pruning trees and shrubs, and making yards look greener and better. Every winter, you would see Les shoveling neighborhood drives and walkways by hand. This was a challenge that kept him moving, even until February of 2025. He was the "OG" of the neighborhood and will be missed by all!

"Society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit." ~ Greek proverb

If you'd like to make a donation, please donate to a nature conservancy near you, in his memory.