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Richard Harding Obituary
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for Richard Harding
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Geoff Harding
October 10, 2022
Rick me and Tina Beverly Hills park.
Geoff Harding
October 10, 2022
God bless you big brother now you and Ed can get back to where you were.
Tina Harding
December 18, 2020
Miss you Dad ❤
Geoffrey Harding
October 13, 2020
Ingrid and I talk about you everyday because you called me "duh" when I was a little boy...... And then every time a movie comes on I tell her that Mamo gave you 5 bucks to go to Westwood and we saw that movie....... Then the other day we saw a white Chevelle with black strips, and I told her that when you got that car it had a 350 and a 4 speed, on the way to Dad's you got a speeding ticket on the 405....... But the stories never end about all the fun times...... Like when you and I took Cathleen Conroy to the Grand Canyon Supi Indian Reservation and Havasu Falls she still complains about that trip, the squirrels got into our food so you walked back to the Indian village for a sandwich and ended up floating in the creek with a beautiful nude woman, that made the walk worth it....... But back to "duh" when you see Lilly, she's up there, we called her "duh" too ! I am going to post a fun picture of you in summer 2014.
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Vaijayanti Mondkar
October 7, 2017
Next Friday, exactly 3 years ago, our dearest Rick entered heaven...our earth will never be the same again without his big smile..at least not for me and my daughter, Tanu, his beloved godchild.
Vaijayanti Mondkar
October 5, 2017
Diwali is coming and we are going to celebrate it together, I and Tanu, with Uncle Rick, as always. It cannot be otherwise.. Rick, you know that!! I hope you hear me and Tanu chatting with you at your resting place. We love to see your face there.. Ever happy... Much love, hugs and kisses to you for ever and ever....
Tina HArding
March 5, 2017
Hi Dad. Love you. Miss you.
Geoffrey
January 20, 2016
Happy Birthday Big Brother, I miss your advice every day......but you are always in my thoughts....
Geoffrey
January 20, 2015
Happy Birthday Ricky..... for the last 50 years this day has always been joyous, we miss you, and we will keep celebrating your life! Love you forever...
Rick and Teresa Bday 2014
January 11, 2015
January 11, 2015
Happy New Year Rick.....it is difficult to not hear you.....your Bday is coming soon, but T's is first......we will party like your last Bday at Dan Tanas.....we miss you, say hi to Lou Jr. he just got up there....
January 11, 2015
November 19, 2014
Thinking of you everyday Brother, thanks for all of your advice....
Joel Smith
October 29, 2014
What sad news! Rick was such a lovely guy; highly competent in his profession and a joy to be with in person. A man of real integrity and compassion.
Everyone knew he was struggling physically these past few years, yet he was always remarkably positive and upbeat with those around him. Just a great guy. I miss ya, Rick.
Renee
October 24, 2014
My condolences to the Harding family. May God give your family peace and comfort during this time - 1 Peter 5 : 7.
Vaijayanti Mondkar
October 23, 2014
My first encounter with my dearest friend Rick was at the hotdog stand/restaurant in Brailey Building. And that encounter was, for heaven's sake, my interview for the position of a law clerk, which he had advertised in the Daily Journal. When he returned my call the very first time, he pronounced my name as “Vihanti” thinking that I was Hispanic and so he had to pronounce it as “h” instead of the “g” that it was. And so he called me for the interview and I went to his office and he told me, “Oh, I forgot to mention that I am babysitting my six year old daughter and she wants a hotdog NOW and we will chat on the way, while we order her food.” And so, he asked me a couple of questions while at the same time fighting the insane crowd at the stand piling on top of one another, calling for the staff to make little Tina's hotdog the best dog with “the works”. At that time, I was pretty much freaked out knowing it was my second job in the country with a lawyer and I had not even studied law in the US, so how the hell was I going to get through the interview without saying something about my experience….hmmmm…but little did I know that I did not have a moment's opportunity to say a word, because all I did was to hear Rick's shouts over the head of the crowd for a hotdog and a couple of questions interspersed with my few unheard answers and the next thing he asked me, “Can you start on Monday?” I was suddenly at peace knowing that I had the job and at least now I could pay my rent.
Well, I could go on for hours or days, but I won't…The next important time etched in my mind was when on the third of my employment, he asked me if I could go out to lunch with him and teach him how to eat Indian food and I did…but then on, when I would eat my own home brought lunch in his office, he would say, “Boy, does that smell delicious!” So, I invited him to eat with me every single time he would be in the office, which he would try very hard, so that he could eat with me. Then, at the end of the first month, he asked me, “How about this thing? I will invest the money and you create the menu and we will have the most fantastic restaurant and beat all that competition out there!” Weird!!! I am here to be your law clerk, why would you want to bust me out of my profession and start another venture in which I have no business experience, haha?” But that was my friend Rick, adventurous, trusting and trustworthy, loyal, highly intellectual, open-minded and very loving. A friend, YES SURELY, but a brother really, whom I had always dreamt of. A true guide, a mentor, a brilliant attorney who trained me in the art of legal drafting, and above all, someone who knew who I really was!! What else I could ask for…Oh, by the way, Ricky Reader and me, the Reader Rabbit both shared a common theme in our lives….reading and collecting thousands of books on versatile interests and speaking about them till the cows came home and the cows would come home around 3 am for sure.
Over the years, Rick was at my home sometimes twice a week from 7 pm all the way to 3 am drinking loads of cardamom tea and eating into the night and enjoying conversations with me and my daughter, Tanu. It did not even dawn on him that Tanu had to go to school and I had to attend to the office the next day. That was Rick, just letting you forget that something called TIME existed. Rick, as your soul hears this eulogy, you know you are loved by me and Tanu like we did not love anyone else. I am truly grateful to the Divine for the gift of Rick's life and it has enriched two lives that would have otherwise never been so…Again, I and Tanu thank the Divine and Rick's beautiful family to let us have his company. So, from 1988 to 2007, Rick was in our life constantly, but after that his personal struggles took over, we would mostly talk to each other on the phone, except a few times when me met and promised to start all over again when he got out of the problems. In fact, on 10th September of this year, he took Tanu's hand in the ICU and made sure she knew that he was her godfather and that as soon as he got out of the hospital, he would straight shoot to my home to drink cardamom tea and eat some food and then make the plans to go to India with us. Unfortunately, he had to travel to a better land where there was no suffering anymore and we have made peace with that fact. Now, he can see with his divine eyes the whole world and go wherever he wants to go without any hassles.
Tanu has been blessed with Rick's presence even before she was born, as he gave her the first crib and all the stuffed toys which she still keeps in her closet. He also gave her his blessings and a laptop for the first year of her college. I don't know of one single person who has done that for her and she misses her Uncle Rick too much.
Today is the Diwali Day, the most festive day for the Hindus of India, and that was Rick's most favorite day with us too. For nineteen years, he never missed a single Diwali with us and I am glad to say that he is being laid to rest on Diwali Day today. Rick, we have served you CARDAMOM TEA AND YOUR FAVORITE FOOD OF SHRIMP CURRY, RICE AND GREENS on our altar. I hope you have accepted our humble offerings. WE LOVE YOU AND YOU WILL LIVE ON OUR ALTAR AND BE WITH US EVERY DAY OF OUR LIVES.
WE LOVE YOU, RICK. NOW AS YOUR MOM SAID” Ricky, get to the point”. I and Tanu simply take the hint and end our story with a kiss on your forehead for the best goodnight ever!!!
Maria Ma
October 23, 2014
Terry and I first met Rick 39 years ago by the pool at Bunker Hill Towers. He immediately stood out as one with great personality and charm with a perpetual twinkle in his eyes that exuded an energetic life force. And of course, Terry fell in love with him. Over the years, we discovered that he was an extremely learned person with deep wit and wisdom, a great conversationist. He was kind and generous, and very willing to extend a helping hand to all around him who needed it. He had a wonderful sense of humor, often laughing with and at us sisters when we were together. He always greeted us with his signature ear-to-ear hearty grin and a sparkle in his eyes that seemed to tell the world that he embraced and appreciated all the wonderful things life had to offer. Rest in peace, my very special brother-in-law.
October 22, 2014
Rick was one of my dearest friends, my "other brother", a true Gentle Man. I will miss him dearly.
All my love,
Marie Anais
David Ziello
October 22, 2014
My sincere condolences go out to Harding family for their loss. I recently had an encounter with Ricky at UCLA that confirms so many of thoughts and feelings expressed herein. I am lucky to have made Rick's acquaintance; you are in my prayers. Have more fun in Heaven Rick!
Cliff Ma
October 22, 2014
Uncle Rick has always been that loud, friendly, soooo lovable uncle - when he came into the room you felt his presence, either cuz he laughs so loud and hearty, or he almost always has something to say about anything! from my times as a kid playing in that same house, in those dusty broken jaguars in the garage ( :P ), swimming in the pool, bbqs!!, being wrestled to the floor and subject to his indian sunburns... to our conversations over the past 12 years talking about grown up stuff when I make it into LA, I have always respected and loved him for his sincerity, generosity, and overall love of life and family. blessings to aunt terry and my cuz tina - love you both, and will get together to reminisce and to also celebrate uncle ricks life and legacy when we are in town next!
.......with his beautiful daughter
Ernie Algorri
October 20, 2014
Rick at Slater's in Old Pasadena last year
Ernie Algorri
October 20, 2014
Ernie Algorri
October 20, 2014
He was also an honest, ethical and extremely competent attorney who represented the finest aspects of our profession. Rick was fun, interesting and with a tremendous sense of wit and wisdom. In a world of greed and narcissism, Rick was a clear example of what we should all be.
You Hardings were blessed to know and love him, as did I for far to little time. Rest in peace my friend.....
Two Happy Campers
Tina Harding
October 20, 2014
Oh, I will just talk: My Dad was the glue that held people together. My Dad valued loyalty above anything else, and my Dad was the epitome of loyal. He selflessly helped so many others, and with genuineness not matched by many people in this world. His interests and friendships were so eclectic (he taught me that word when I was little), that my Dad has given me the gift of open-mindedness and a lovely view of the world. Dad, your positivity and perseverance has always amazed and inspired me despite your personal struggles. I have said that many times, but that is the only you I knew - being diagnosed with your illness the year after I was born and they told you you only had six months to live. Ha! Boy did you show them wrong. And for that, I am thankful; you were able to watch me grow up. I will never forget you, ever. All of the soccer and softball games you attended; the Thrifty's ice cream you took me to get on Fair Oaks Avenue after the games - whether we won or lost; the zoo of pets you allowed me to have because you knew I loved animals (and Gayle had to clean up after them, and I know you didn't like the snakes either); the countless nights you spent with me on my homework, helping with my writing, my essays, my math, and science fairs (of which I won first place two years in a row thanks to your tremendous interest in your daughter's life and her education); supporting your daughter in whatever endeavor she chose, being it art or accounting; letting her make mistakes but there to help her get back up again; proud Dad of a daughter who works at EY; a Dad who told me I could be the first women president in the world - and even when you were at the hospital you said I could do anything I wanted in life; you will always be my biggest fan, Dad - and for that, I am thankful; sending me to a Thailand master to learn how to make stained glass windows because, again, you had such a broad range of interests and an amazing ability to bond with people; your interest in reading is what is missing in the world today (and it's no secret that books were your favorite thing - seeing that we almost have two properties filled with them); all the poems you just happened to remember - always going around and reciting the Jabberwocky, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, The Raven, or reminiscing of your Beatnik days and black turtleneck sweaters; you taught me more than you could ever know through your vast knowledge and brilliant mind, but even more so through your actions and leading by example. Oh Dad, I would like to try to emulate you. And so I shall; your relationship with Gayle as the best of friends; your everlasting marriage to the most beautiful wife in the world - supporting one another through thick and thin and showing me that true love does exist in this world (there's that loyalty again); the joyous days spent on Lido Island with friends and family; your ability to love each item you found, each piece of antique furniture, stamp, and song with an incredible passion and intense excitement; your love of classic and cool cars (a great eye for collecting the Jaguar XKE eType, Ragtop Cadillac '74, Toyota MR2 with T-tops, and the latest edition, your Classic Rambler with three on the tree, no A/C and no power steering – and you still loved that thing more than ever - you really knew how to appreciate and enjoy things and people; you lived in the moment and made the most of every present minute that you lived; this fairytale life was yours and it was real; we are all better for knowing you; This is why I always call you the best Dad in the world, and I'm not going to stop now. Now, you are the best Dad in both worlds. I am honored to be your legacy and so happy I got to spend my life with you. Will see you again one day.
N. Cory Savarovski
October 19, 2014
Rick was always a man who made you feel welcome. He made me feel like a part of the family and I never took that for granted; especially since I come from a small one. Rick and the entire Harding family showed to me you don't have to be related to relate, and I thank them all for that. God bless you, Rick.
Grace Harding
October 19, 2014
My Uncle Ricky was one of the smartest men I knew. He was brilliant- a walking encyclopedia. He knew the history of some of the most minuscule things. Not only was he smart, he was caring and loyal. My dad credits him for saving his life many times and never failing to be by his side no matter how many mistakes were made. He was my dads best friend and partner in crime. To me, he was fun-loving and always had a great sense of humor. When you would talk, even if it seemed like no one was listing, he always would be. He always wanted to know more about a person or about life in general. His want for knowledge never ceased. One of my favorite memories was when my mom and I took him to Disneyland. He would not leave without getting a giant Mad Hatter hat. From then on for almost every Christmas, I would try to get him something Disney or something Alice in Wonderland-esque. I miss him everyday. Now he has infinite knowledge of not only life on earth, but afterlife as well. Say hi to everyone for me. I love you, always.
Victoria Harding
October 19, 2014
Our Dads made sure to raise Tina and I like sisters, I thank them for doing that. Uncle Ricky was like a father to me. He always had my back and treated me with respect. I loved talking about music with him, Dave Matthews Band. I'll always remember his happy giggle and that smile. There is something beautiful about him becoming an angel and I am grateful he isn't sick anymore. Rest in paradise my amazing Uncle Ricky, we love you.
Dan Sheridan
October 18, 2014
Geoffrey,
Deepest condolences to you and your family.
Tina Harding
October 18, 2014
A memory that has always stuck with me is when I was much younger and hanging out with Dad in our jacuzzi. It was a night time dip, and Dad started singing to me: "Are the stars out tonight, I don't care if it's cloudy or bright, I only have eyes for you." Never forgot that moment.
Vicki Hunter
October 18, 2014
I did not know Rick, but I have the pleasure of calling his lovely daughter Tina my friend. Some of the stories she has shared make it clear that Rick had a huge impact on those around him, and left a very fine mark on this world in his time here.
My condolences to Tina and all of Rick's family and friends.
Lisa Wai
October 18, 2014
Rick was my brother in law. I live in Australia so I didn't see him all that often but everytime I was in the States, I remember the talks we had about life and how we both view it. He had decided opinions and we had a few laughs and a couple of short debates. He enjoyed life to the full and while he struggled with ill health in the last few years, he never let it get him down and he worried about leaving Terry and Tina. I will miss him but I'm sure he's looking at us with a drink in his hand and would tell us not to dwell on his passing but rather think of all the happy memories he leaves us with.
Lisa
Marjie Royalty-Ward
October 18, 2014
I will miss seeing him at the office, in all his great hats.
Geoffrey Harding
October 18, 2014
My Brother Rick, from my earliest memories my older Brother's actions an achievements were an inspiration. He was not only a brother but a voice of Fatherly wisdom, I will miss you Richard Charles Harding and bless you for being my brother.....Geoffrey
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