Donald Gene Hardt

Donald Gene Hardt Donald Gene Hardt, a Glendale Architect, passed away on 1/1/07. He died from respiratory failure and complications of Myotonic Dystrophy One. Born on 7/6/38 to Samuel Gene Hardt and Mary Viola (Weeks) Hardt, in Almira Washington, his family moved to Spokane, and then to Coulee City, Washington, where his father opened a machinist business. He attended schools in Coulee City and Hartline. His grandfather died leaving the family a farm between Hartline and Wilson Creek and he continued school there. Another farm was leased in Douglas County and he finished school in Coulee City. During his junior and senior years, he played in his father's Western band around Central Washington and had a half-hour radio show every Saturday, playing his guitar, steel guitar, banjo and accordion. He attended Washington State University in Pullman and majored in Architectural Engineering, After graduation, he worked as a draftsman for Architects in Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, Portland, Wenatchee and Everett. During his employment in Everett, he passed the National Architectural Exam and was licensed as an Architect in January 1970. In March of 1972, he moved to Phoenix and worked for two local architectural firms. In 1974, he opened his own architectural practice and ran it for many years. He then was an Arizona State Architect for 10 years before retirement in 2005. In October 22, 1994, he married Barbara Louise (West) Hardt in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to his wife, Barbara, he leaves behind his lovely children from his first marriage: Terri Thurston (Eric), Tammi Sherrer (Robert), and sons, Tony Hardt (Kerri) and Ty Hardt (Noelle), plus numerous grandchildren, all of Anchorage, Alaska. He also leaves behind his adopted children from his previous marriage, Shannon and Sarah Hardt of Glendale. An infant daughter, Wendy, and his brother Jim (Anita) preceded him in death. Don's remaining sisters are Shirley Hardt Connor of Lacey, Washington and Judy Hardt Leahy (Bill) of Kennewick, Washington. Don also leaves behind his stepson, Bryan Luce and Bryan's wife, Susan Collett Luce and their two daughters, Shannon and Jennifer. Possessed of a kind, intelligent spirit and a desire to defeat Myotonic Dystrophy, he fought hard to remain alive, kept the faith and finished the course of his successful life. We will all miss him greatly, but have evolved into better people after having known him. We will always treasure him in our hearts and memories forever. His funeral is being conducted by Heritage Funeral Home 6830 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria, Saturday, 1/6/07, at 1:30 p.m. with burial following at Resthaven Cemetery in Glendale, Arizona. HERITAGE

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