Obit: Hardrath, Howard Robert (1917? – 2015)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hardrath, Lange, Maier, Wiedenhoeft, Gibson, Tallentire, Queary

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 14 Oct 2015

Hardrath, Howard Robert (1917? – 10 OCT 2015)

Howard Robert Hardrath of Atlanta, Ga. died on October 10, 2015 at the age of 98. He was born at home in Unity, Wisconsin , son of Herman Hardrath and Elsa (Lange) Hardrath. The third of five children, he grew up working on his family's dairy farm.

Howard was a proud and honored World War II veteran. He enlisted in the Army at the age of 25, serving as Infantry Platoon Sargent in Co. C, 313th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division in WW II. Being wounded in action in France on July 12, 1944, he was later awarded the Purple Heart.

After marrying Amber Maier in 1946, the couple settled in Atlanta. Howard formed a business partnership with Paul Edwards to develop, build and sell homes and apartments. He served as President of P & H Homes, Inc. and P & H Realty Co. until his retirement. The original 1950's contemporary style ranch homes they designed, built and sold are still popular today in Atlanta's North Crest subdivision .

Howard truly lived his life to the fullest. One of his favorite pastimes was fishing, boating and entertaining at his cabin on Lake Lanier. He and Amber also enjoyed annual month long vacations to Ft Walton Beach, Florida. They hosted many home parties with friends and family. In his later years after Amber's death in 1983, Howard enjoyed traveling the world with his dear friend, Dorothy Hardrath. He was a lifetime Democrat and a loyal supporter of the Atlanta Braves and Falcons. He was a great storyteller with an amazing memory for facts and details. He loved people and especially spending time with his family and many friends. "Pop" was a generous, kind and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will truly be missed by all whose lives he touched.

In addition to his wife, Amber, Howard was predeceased by their infant daughter, Joy in 1955, by his parents, his sister, Edythe Hardrath Wiedenhoeft, his brothers, Harvey and Harold Hardrath of Wisconsin, and brother, Halbert (Bud) Hardrath of Roswell, Ga. He is survived by his daughter, Lori Gibson of Atlanta; grandsons, Paul Tallentire of Atlanta; Trey (Chloe) Gibson of Marietta, Ga.; Grant (Sarah) Gibson of Glens Falls, NY; great-grandsons, Alex and Kai Tallentire of Atlanta. He is also survived by daughter, Kim (Todd) Queary of Suwanee, Ga.; grandson, Austin Queary and granddaughter, Katelyn Queary of Suwanee, Ga.; sister-in-law, Dorthaleen Hardrath of Owen, Wisconsin; close friend, Dorothy Hardrath of Gold River, CA; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of Howard's life will be held on Saturday, November 14, at 11 a.m. at H.M. Patterson & Son, Oglethorpe Hill Chapel. The family will welcome visitors at his home immediately following the service. At Howard's request, his body was cremated. A private family burial in Westview Cemetery in Atlanta and in Beaver Cemetery in Unity, Wisconsin will be held on later dates. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Disabled American Veterans Association, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati OH 45250 or at www.dav.org/donate.