Burton Ervin Hardin

Aug 21, 1936-May 9, 2006 Burton Ervin Hardin, DME and Major USAFR Ret. of Monument, died in Colorado Springs on May 9, 2006. The cause of death was complications of Parkinson's disease. Dr. Hardin was born in Lincoln, NE. on August 21, 1936 to Dr. Robert Allen and Gladys Ida (Starkey) Hardin, who preceded him in death. When he was two weeks old when the family moved to Norman, OK. where is father was Chair of Industrial Engineering and Education at the University of Oklahoma. In the fall of 1954, he met Barbara Gene Ducker when both were playing in the University of Oklahoma Orchestra. They were married December 21, 1957 and have one son, David Burton Hardin, M.D. (wife, Jackie) of Evansville, IN. He is survived by Barbara, David and Jackie; grandchildren: Stephanie, Nicholas, Brandon and Gretchen; step grandchildren: Yvonne Kimbrough of Evansville, IN and Michelle (Eric) Collins of Indianapolis, IN; step great-grandchildren: Michael, Nicholas, Jaylan, Christopher; sisters: Roberta Sellon of Bemidji, MN and Virginia Long of Salinas, CA. Dr. Hardin earned his BME and DME from the University of Oklahoma and his MA from the University of Wichita. His musical career began as arranger and French hornist with the U.S. Army Field Band. His first published composition "Caught by the Horns" was written for the Field Band. In 1960 he transferred to the newly organized NORAD Band in Colorado Springs. He left the army to pursue his Master's degree at the University of Wichita, KS and play in the Wichita Symphony. He also received a direct commission in the Kansas Air National Guard. As he moved about the country with his teaching career he served with the Air Guard in South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Illinois. In Illinois, he transferred to the Air Force reserve as a Liaison Officer for the Air Force Academy. He was proud to have placed one of the girls in the first class to accept female cadets. His teaching career included Clarion State College in Pennsylvania, the University of South Carolina and 24 years at Eastern Illinois University. At EIU in addition to teaching horn, tuba, and orchestration, he developed the recording curriculum and designed the recording studio. He was a fine hornist who played regularly in several symphonies near his teaching locations and appeared often as a soloist. His teachers were William Robinson, Phillip Farkas, Forrest Standly and Eugene Wade. He twice hosted the annual conference of the International Horn Society. He made two LP recordings and one CD. He was a prize winning composer and arranger. Also he was a prize winning maker of violins, violas, and cellos. His wife plays one of those violas. His doctoral dissertation, "A Comparison of Two methods of Arriving at the Most Suitable Thickness of Violin Plates," has become a definitive work in the field of violin making. Another passion was flying. He held Private, Instrument, Multi-engine and Commercial ratings. Upon retirement 13 years ago the Hardins moved to Monument, CO and the mountains that they loved, where he continued making stringed instruments. He and Barbara played in the Pueblo Symphony and he played with the Little London Winds until his illness made it impossible. There was a gathering of friends at the family home at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 13th. "From great love comes deep sorrow." Many thanks to the Skilled Care and the Reminiscence Unit staffs of Brighton Gardens and Odyssey Hospice for their excellent tender loving care. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Dr. Hardin's name to KCME Radio "A Voice for the Arts," 1921 North Weber Street, Colorado Springs, CO. 80907 or to the Dr. Burton E. Hardin Memorial Library fund, Temple Beit Torah, P.O. Box 25909, Colorado Springs, CO. 80936-5909