David Hardy

DAVID LAWRENCE HARDY

June 1, 1950 — November 13, 2016

With gratitude for his life, we announce the passing of DAVID LAWRENCE HARDY on Sunday, November 13, 2016 at age 66 years.

David devoted himself to his faith, his family, and his fellow men. Born June 1, 1950 to Lyman and Mildred Hardy, David grew up in Stirling, Alberta where he excelled in athletics and academics and graduated as valedictorian of his high school class. Following graduation, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in eastern Canada. He married his eternal sweetheart, Rita Navratil, on August 25, 1971 in the Cardston Alberta Temple and, with her, raised thirteen children. He earned a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Lethbridge and taught at Stirling School before dedicating his professional life to entrepreneurship and innovation.

David created multiple businesses. His work in animal nutrition taught him principles he later applied to human nutrition for the optimization of mental health. He strove tirelessly, passionately, and internationally to promote both the research and the clinical use of nutrient supplementation. David was motivated in his work and in his relationships by compassion, generosity, and truth. His colleagues from many countries mourn his passing. Charles W. Popper, M.D., of Harvard Medical School wrote, “David Hardy’s foresight and vision for the future of health care was critical in establishing the beginnings of a new movement in medical treatment, health promotion, and wellness. He was a visionary thinker who was also a careful observer of detail, a thoughtful synthesizer of disparate lines of research, and a courageous leader who helped force open the way for the medical community to think beyond its dogmas into a new world of possibilities. As we mark his passing, we know that he will not be here to see the fruition of his ideas, but he laid enough groundwork that we can know now that his ideas will ultimately prevail and profoundly alter the direction of medicine and the quality of human life.”

In honor of David’s contribution to the field of mental health research, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Nutrition and Mental Health Fund of the Foundation for Excellence in Mental Health Care. Online donations can be made by Americans at MentalHealthExcellence.org, and by Canadians at CalgaryFoundation.org. In both cases, please select the Nutrition and Mental Health Fund for the donation and indicate it is in memory of David Hardy. Canadians should also ask that the donor advisor (Dr. Bonnie Kaplan) be notified.

David valued his family and his faith in Jesus Christ above all else, and he dedicated his life to serving them. He is survived by his devoted wife, Rita; by his thirteen children and their spouses: Jeff (Kim) Hardy, Cara (Cory) Rasmussen, Camilla (Alan) Harrison, Cherilea (Aaron) Pace, Jared (Sheralee) Hardy, Landon (Brenna) Hardy, Emily (Michael) Shatzer, Kayleen (Kendon) Evanson, Lowyn (Heather) Hardy, Dallin (Heather) Hardy, Janae (Dustin) Purnell, Shelyse (KC) Erb, and Joseph Hardy; sixty-five grandchildren; and his six siblings: Clark (Deanna) Hardy, Reid (Edith) Hardy, Elaine (Alan) Fletcher, Max (Marilyn — deceased) Hardy, Janice (John) Ellingson, and Barbara (Brent) Kovac. He was predeceased by his parents, Lyman and Mildred Hardy, his son-in-law George McFadzean, and his grandson Lyman Hardy. Words of John from the Bible best convey David’s deepest feelings: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

Friends are invited to meet the family on Saturday morning, November 19 from 9:45 until 10:45 at the RAYMOND STAKE CENTRE of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2 North - 200 West, Raymond, Alberta. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with interment at the Temple Hill Cemetery.

To send condolences, please visit www.generationsfh.ca