Gareth G. Wells

Gareth Gilson Wells, of Columbia, died May 24, 2008, of a heart attack, in Mitchellville. He was 63.

Born July 13, 1944, in Glendale, Calif., to John Monroe and Rose Mary Deane Ropp Wells, he grew up in La Crescenta, Calif., where he swam competitively and was president of the student body at Glendale High School. He graduated in 1962.

While a student at the University of California at Berkeley, he worked as a model builder for the California architectural firm Moore, Lyndon, Turnbull and Whitaker, also known as MLTW, for two years. He also produced architectural competition drawings through the firm. In 1967, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in architecture.

The following year, Mr. Wells began working as a licensed architect with the Public Building Service of the General Services Administration in the San Francisco Regional Office, where he met his future wife, Janet E. Ziffer, who was an employee of the central office. There, he supervised the construction of President Nixon's home-away-from-home compound, dubbed the "Western White House," in San Clemente, Ca., as well as other projects.

In 1972, he transferred to the GSA headquarters in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, where he managed major projects. Then in 1987, he transferred again, this time to the National Capital Regional Office, which manages the Federal buildings in the Washington area. He retired in 2000 after 34 years of service.

He married Janet E. Ziffer in 2001. The couple had been together for more than 20 years.

During retirement, Mr. Wells volunteered with the Hospice of Howard County, now called Gilchrist Hospice Care, where he worked on the annual fundraiser and auction, the Taste of Howard County, stuffing envelopes, picking up auction items and helping with decorations, for six years.

Family members recall that he enjoyed golfing as well as designing renovations and additions for the houses of relatives and friends.

Mr. Wells had been a resident of Columbia for 20 years.

In addition to his wife of seven years, he is survived by a son, John V. Wells, of New York City, and Denver; and a daughter, Jennifer C. Wells, of Washington, D.C., and Hawaii.

A memorial service was held May 31, 2008, at Himes-Rinaldi Funeral Home, in Silver Spring.

Memorial donations may be made to Gilchrist Hospice Care, 5537 Twin Knolls Road, #433, Columbia, MD 21044.

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