Robert Nathan Hardy

November 14, 1937 - April 11, 2025
Robert Nathan Hardy, born November 14, 1937, made his spiritual journey home April 11, 2025. Robert was born in Talihina, Oklahoma to Robert Atha Wilcox and Siney Hardy Noah. Robert was a proud and true member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He was raised by his maternal grandparents and then sent to Goodland Indian Orphanage through his adolescent years. He left Oklahoma at 17 years old and traveled to Lawrence, Kansas to attend Haskell Institute (now Haskell Indian Nations University). Here he completed his vocational training and began his career as a commercial/residential painter serving Kansas City and surrounding areas. His career accomplishments included various historical landmarks in Kansas City including the Kansas City Royals stadium, the Kansas City Chief stadium, Municipal Auditorium, and the Heart of America Bridge. He served proudly as a lifetime member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 3 and secured various employer opportunities including Jackson Painting Company and Ammon Painting Company. While attending Haskell he succeeded in accomplishments of track and field and cross-country. His athletic accomplishments supported the Haskell Institute in securing the Cross Country Championships.
While attending Haskell, he also met his love and wife of 67 years, Barbara Hardy Chaves. Together, they had six children, nine grandchildren, and 2 great grand-children. Robert served in the United States Army from 1961-1967 and received honorable discharge. He was a proud and brave Veteran serving in the preparation of the Cuban Missile Crisis. He ranked as a PFC and gunman, receiving honors including Good Conduct Medal, Expert (Rifle), Expert Marksman (Pistol), and 2d Class Gunner (3.5 RL).
Robert was active in his faith and religion with his church memberships to include Central Free Will Baptist Church and Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene, and involvement with Lawrence Indian Methodist Church. Over his years in Christian ministry, Robert held titles as board member, greeter, taught Sunday School, led church camp meetings, volunteered with the Institute in Basic Life Principles, and faithfully led as a servant of Christ through his service to the church in his talent of painting.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents Robert Wilcox and Siney Hardy Noah, his wife Barbara Hardy Chaves, his sons Robert Hardy Jr., Brian Hardy, and Lawrence Hardy.
He is survived by his daughters Lois Hardy, Marceline Suttles, and Dr. Cynthia Hardy. He was known as grandpa to his grandchildren Terry and Tony Sheppard; Dustin Hardy; Steven, James, John, and Josh Suttles; and lovingly called Nuhnuh by only granddaughter, Elena Hardy.
2 Timothy 4:7 to 8 (NIV) " I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord the righteous Judge, will award unto me on that day.