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| Robert (Bob) Hardin Robert (Bob) Hardin, 82, passed away peacefully on Dec. 21, 2001, at Pioneers' Home, where he had been a resident for two years. Bob was born Aug. 31, 1919, in Bryant, Okla., to Marcus and Elizabeth Hardin. He had three brothers and two sisters. Bob graduated from Weleetka High School in 1937. In 1941, Bob joined the Army. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1945 with a rank of second lieutenant, but continued to serve his country in the Army Reserves until 1953. During his military service, Bob met Audrey Morrow; they were married Oct. 16, 1945, in Hoquiam, Wash. Shortly after their marriage, Bob was employed by Sparling Steel Co., where he worked on numerous large construction projects, including the Grand Coulee Dam. Bob and his family were transferred to Alaska in 1949, where they eventually settled in Fairbanks and raised their son, Mark (Rusty) Hardin. In Fairbanks, Bob worked on several construction projects including: the city power plant, the water treatment plant, the international airport terminal building, Northward Building and several university and military construction projects. When Sparling Steel Co. closed Alaska operations, Bob began the Hardin Steel Co. He operated the company from 1956-63. Shortly after the 1967 flood, he was employed by the Fairbanks Building Department, where he worked as a building inspector and building official until his retirement in 1984. Bob enjoyed reading, listening to good music and bowling, but he was passionate about local sports, especially baseball and basketball. Bob was instrumental in organizing various youth baseball and basketball programs. He coached Little League Baseball teams from the early 1950s through the mid-80s, and helped organize high school baseball in 1993. He was also the driving force behind the organization of the Interior Basketball Referees Association. His hard work and dedication with Fairbanks youth was recognized by the community when he received the prestigious Sportsman of the Year Award in 1970-71. Bob was a member of the Elks and Lions service clubs and served on the board of directors for the Alaska Goldpanners. Bob shared 56 years of marriage with his best friend and devoted wife, Audrey Hardin. He is also survived by his son, Mark (Rusty) Hardin, sisters Mildred Baird of Tulsa, Okla., and Hellen Ellig of McCalister, Okla.; brother Clyde Hardin of Vallejo, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Marcus and Elizabeth Hardin, and brothers Harry and Asa Hardin. The memorial service will be held on Friday, Dec. 28, at 12:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 547 Seventh Ave. A reception will be held at the church following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be given to the building fund for First Presbyterian Church, or the Memorial Fund for Pioneers' Home of Fairbanks. June 2, 2001, Daily News-Miner |
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