Richard C. " Rich " Hardin

Richard Charles “Rich” Hardin, age 80, of Richardson, Texas, passed away May 3, 2023, surrounded by his family.  He was born May 27, 1942, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Richard M. and Betty E. (Tarver) Hardin.  In 1960, Rich graduated from Hillcrest High School in Dallas, Texas.  He then attended North Texas State University (now UNT), where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1965.  While attending North Texas State, he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, chairing many committees there.

Rich was a sales and marketing professional with architectural lighting and engineering specification expertise.  He began his career at General Electric in Oklahoma City, where he received the G.E. Management Award in 1970 for the design and construction of a regional control van on GPC products.  The van was used as a catalog on wheels at industry trade shows and events.  His career at GE brought him to San Antonio, where he eventually moved on to an 18-year career with Lightolier Inc.  His knowledge and passion in his field quickly earned him the respect of the architects, engineers, and interior designers he worked closely with.  After leaving Lightolier, Rich moved to Dallas and transitioned to a new sales career in the furniture department at Dillard's, where he worked until his retirement.

Rich was a very active retiree, and quickly became involved with the Richardson Fire Department Citizen Fire Academy Alumni Association.  He was a member of Class #10 of the Citizen Fire Academy and was an active member and tour guide with the Texas Fire Museum.  He loved fire trucks so much that he even bought one of his own, a 1967 Howe Defender.  He shared this passion with his family, taking them to visit the museum, giving rides on his fire truck, and sending home toy fire trucks, hats, and t-shirts with his grandchildren.

Rich is survived by his son, Frank Hardin and wife Basia of Wakefield, Kansas; son, Brandon Hardin and wife Shawna of San Antonio, Texas; son, Russell Hardin and wife Jessica of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren, Brentlee Hardin of San Antonio, Texas; Christopher and Adam Hardin of Wakefield, Kansas; Noah and Emily Hardin of San Antonio, Texas; and Aliyah and Elijah Hardin of San Antonio, Texas; sister, Julie Hardin Brewton and husband Tim of Plano, Texas; niece, Janet Hardin Townsend and husband Robert of Gladewater, Texas; cousin, Chuck Wright and wife Ann of Rocky River, Ohio; and numerous other loving family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard M. and Betty E. Hardin; former wife, Mary Hardin; son, Gregory Hardin; twin brother, William T. “Bill” Hardin, and younger brother, Dan Hardin.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Rich's life Thursday, June 8, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.at Christ United Methodist Church, 3101 Coit Rd., Plano, Texas.

If you would like to watch the service from home, please click this link: https://vimeo.com/event/3446617

If desired contributions may be made in Rich's name to Texas Fire Museum, P.O. Box 560724, Dallas, Texas, 75356 or

Richardson Citizen Fire Academy Alumni Association (RCFAAA), c/o Richardson Fire Department, 300 N. Greenville Ave., Richardson, Texas  75081.