ROBERT STEVENSON HARDY

Bob passed away on September 26, 2015, after spending the day surrounded by his seven children and the love of his life, Mary, his sweetheart and buddy. He died in his home, just as he had wished. Bob was born in Pittsburgh on September 8, 1929, the third son of Norman and Kathryn Hardy. He was raised in Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair, living in Upper St. Clair for the last 50 years. Bob was a great high school athlete who boxed, wrestled, and played on the basketball team. He liked to tell the story about the one time that he actually got into a basketball game. After graduating from Mt. Lebanon High School in 1947, Bob received a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, and he continued to be a life-long Pitt sports fan. He married Mary, his high school sweetheart, in 1953. One week after their wedding, he left to serve in the Korean War, stationed in Tokyo, Japan with the ASA (Army Security Agency). After returning, Bob joined his brothers at Green Hills Lumber and later they founded 84 Lumber Company. Knowing that one of them would have to serve as president, straws were drawn. Having drawn the short straw, Bob served as president during the company's formative years. Much of the success of 84 Lumber is due to Bob's hard work and innovative business ideas. He decided to retire early so he could drive harness horses at county fairs and The Meadows, spend time with his seven kids, and work on his golf game. Bob was once asked what he did in the service by a golfing buddy. Dad told the guy to put a frown on his face because he was going to make him laugh, "Intelligence" Bob stated with his well known laugh. It was partly because of that self-deprecating sense of humor that Bob was loved by so many. For many years Bob and Mary divided their time between Pittsburgh and Skidaway Island near Savannah, Georgia. Beloved husband for 62 years to Mary (Murrie); father of Tricia (Larry) Trotter, Harry (Sandy) Hardy, Diane (John) Troy, Mary (Kirk) Ketchum, Susan (Tom) Eyler, Robert (Katy) Hardy, and Bart (Heather) Hardy; grandfather of Rich (Tricia), Ben (Heather), Katie (Josh), Kevin, Andrew, Annabelle, Craig James, Alex, Stephen, Kelly, Brian, Patrick, Eileen, Julie, Hannah, Zach and Easton; great-grandfather of Will, Haley, and Alice; brother of Joseph and the late Norman; many nieces, nephews and lifelong friend