Eric David Hardesty, 79, passed away on November 26, 2022.
November 21, 1943 – a turbulent time in World history that announced the birth of this tough and gentle giant, son of the late Bergen and Thelma (Downey) Hardesty. It was on the streets of Frankfort, Indiana that he, his sister Jan, and brother Brian (deceased) grew up. Eric and Brian spent countless hours building model trains and scrubbing bricks to build their family home.
During his years at Frankfort High School, Eric would hone his skills as one Hot Dog of an artist. After graduating in 1962, Eric joined the U.S. Airforce, where his military career included a much-storied love of the Korean language, culture, and food (especially beef bulgogi / fire meat). Following his service, Eric attended San Diego State University with a focus in American Literature.
It was while donating blood (an act that would continue throughout his life) that he met his match – Bernie Meier. Their long and loving adventure together would span the next 48 years. As they settled in, Eric found fulfilment in volunteering his time acting as coach, mentor, scout master, and Pinewood Derby extraordinaire to his sons and all their friends. If you listen hard enough you will still hear the distant echoes of a booming voice “move your feet” and “you’ve got to dribble the ball!” Later in life, as the kids grew older, it was his Boxers (Hannah and Heidi) that fueled the childlike wonder still inside him. And as kids have kids, Eric became Popi, and the grandchildren can attest that Popi could tell one heck of a yarn.
Eric did not go gentle into the good night… he fought like the dickens! Anyone that knew him, would know a story and a laugh – his absence will leave the world a little quieter.
He is survived by his wife, Bernie (Meier) Hardesty; children, Nathan Hardesty and wife Judith Colón-Reveles, Nicholas Hardesty and wife Melissa Hardesty; grandchildren, Jonathan, Luka, Noah, Jack, Jude and Zeile; his sister Jan (Hardesty) Flower; brother-in-law to Judy Werth, Bud Meier, Lanay Meier, Elaine and Jack Keesey, Jim and Gayla Meier, and many nieces, nephews & friends.
A Mass will be held on Friday, December 16, 2022, at 9:30 am at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church, 68 Sherman Drive Saint Louis, MO 63125. A remembrance of his life and stories will be held on Friday afternoon (December 16th) from 3:30 to 5:30 at Helen Fitzgerald’s at 3650 S Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63127. Relatives and friends are invited to share memories and stories at the remembrance. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the ‘NorthCare Hospice House,’ 2800 Clay Edwards Dr 2nd Floor, North Kansas City, MO 64116 (www.kchospice.org/donation), or to ‘Giving the Basics,’ 927 S 7th St, Kansas City, KS 66105 (www.givingthebasics.org/donate-kansas-city).
Please help celebrate the life of Eric by sharing a memory or expressing your condolences to the family.
