Tribute to Jerry Hardy

Jerry Hardy

(Press Democrat Article Published: Sunday, April 25, 2010)

In his 84 years, Jerry Hardy was a Marine, a scientist, teacher, social justice campaigner and health food advocate. But he may be remembered best as “the nicest counselor” at Rincon Valley Junior High School. Since his April 18 death from a rare and aggressive cancer, several former students from his decades as a Santa Rosa educator have shared their memories of him with his family.

One girl recalled, “I used to be a bully, but he brought me into his office and said, ‘You're really not bully material. You don't have to live that way,' ” said Hardy's daughter, Margaux Hardy of Santa Rosa, “And it changed her life.” “Gentle compassion is what he stood for, and justice,” she said.

Hardy died on his 84th birthday at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital just a month after being diagnosed with sinus cancer. “He was a scientist, he would have liked that,” his daughter said. “That's just kind of tidy.” Hardy was born and grew up in pioneer conditions in North Dakota, one of 12 children from a devout Irish Catholic family. He liked to tell stories from his childhood, like when his brothers dangled him out a barn window by his feet or when they crashed the crop-dusting plane. On his 13th birthday, his gift was a broom for sweeping the porch. “He was excited because it was actually a nice broom,” instead of the old one he'd been using, Margaux Hardy said.

After graduating from high school, Hardy went to Carroll College in Montana. A year later, he transferred to the University of Michigan, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in science. After graduation, he was drafted into the Marines, where he was assigned to teach recruits who hadn't earned their high school diplomas Although he said boot camp was the most demeaning experience he'd ever had, he was proud to have served at Marine Barracks Washington, famously known as “8th & I,” the oldest active post in the Marines, dating to Thomas Jefferson's time. Hardy also served on the presidential guard for Dwight D. Eisenhower at the commander-in-chief's Camp David, Md., getaway. “He wasn't the biggest fan of Eisenhower,” his daughter said. “But when he saluted the president, the president had to salute him back. He liked that.”

After being discharged from the service, Hardy accepted a teaching job in Coos Bay, Ore., where he met his soon-to-be wife, Donna. They were married for 52 years. Hardy took a job at Santa Rosa Junior High School in 1956 teaching science and biology. Donna Hardy, also a teacher, soon followed.

A few years later, Hardy moved to Rincon Valley Junior High School where he spent nearly three decades as a science teacher and counselor. “When I was growing up, he was like a rock star,” his daughter said. “Everyone in Santa Rosa knew him, especially in Rincon Valley, because he was the ‘nice counselor.' ”

Hardy retired in 1986 and spent his later years traveling, involved in church and community activities and lovingly maintaining his half-acre of hillside in Montecito Heights. In addition to his wife and daughter, Hardy is survived by a son, Owen Hardy of Sparks, Nev.; a sister, Mary Muggli of Tacoma; Two brothers, Paul Hardy of Seattle and Charlie Hardy of Beach, N.D.; and three grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. May 23 at Ursula Hall on Ursuline High School's campus, followed by a celebration of his life in Brescia Hall. Services for his large extended family will be held this summer in Seattle and North Dakota.

The family requests any fond memories of Hardy be sent to hardym@comcast.net.