Richard Merrick Harding

Richard was born on July 17, 1950, in London, England, to Alfred Victor and Marjorie "Gerrie" (ne Clegg) Harding. He studied at the London Hospital Medical College, receiving a Bachelor of Science, Physiology (1st Class Honors) in 1971 and a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery in 1974 (M.D. equivalent). After stints at Southend General Hospital, the London Hospital (Whitechapel), and the London Hospital (Bethnal Green), Richard joined the Royal Air Force in 1977 as a Unit Medical Officer. He served in the RAF for 17 years, during which time he received a Doctor of Philosophy (Human Physiology) from St. Bartholomews Hospital Medical College, and was promoted to the rank of Wing Commander.

In 1988, Richard was assigned to Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, as part of an officer exchange program. After arriving in Texas, Richard fell in love with barbeque, country music, and the endless sunshine, and he relocated there permanently in 1995 after leaving the RAF. In Texas, Richard used his medical and physiological expertise to better understand, explore, and explain how injuries occur during accidents. The apogee of Richards career in private practice was his 2003 appointment as a member of the Spaceship Crew Survival Integrated Investigation Team, which was commissioned by NASA to investigate the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster and provide recommendations for how to improve crew survival on future manned space flights.

Richard had an extensive range of hobbies and interests, and when he loved something, he did so deeply. He always enjoyed a dram of Whisky with friends, and once, seemingly on a whim, he purchased an entire cask (300 bottles) with his closest friend. He was captivated by the Lord of the Rings, and traveled to New Zealand (twice) to tour filming locations. He was a dedicated stamp collector, amateur photographer, and avid horse and dog lover. He loved Christmas, romantic comedies, collecting (anything), and hedgehogs.

Most of all, though, Richard loved his family. He met his wife, Letitia (ne Brewster) at a bar on his 29th birthday. They went on a pub crawl together, and were married four years later on October 15, 1983. Together they traveled the world, including Bali, Islay, the Galpagos Islands, and almost every US National Park. Their favorite place to visit was Kauai, where they would spend their time bird watching at Kīlauea Point and turtle watching at Spouting Horn. Richards greatest joy came from cuddling his children and grandchildren, and he would talk for hours and hours about them and their accomplishments to anyone who would listen. His dogs were also always at his side; there were many but Marley, in particular, was his best boy.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Gerrie. He is survived by his beloved wife, Letitia, his four children, Natasha (and her husband Jordan), Jon, Victoria, and Stuart (and his wife Melanie), his four granddaughters, Jenna, Kirstin, Brie, and Maeve and his sisters-in-law Ann (and her husband Glan) and Jude. All of us, along with countless friends and extended family, will miss him dearly.

All are welcome to attend a memorial service honoring Richards life and memory, which will be held at the Porter Loring Mortuary North Chapel at 7:00pm on Thursday February 10, 2022. Visiting with Richards family will begin at 6:00pm, and a reception at Richard and Letitias home will follow the memorial service. The family asks that guests wear masks while inside both the chapel and the family home.

In advance of the memorial service, flowers may be sent to 2102 North Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas 78232. Anyone who is so inclined is encouraged to donate to Great Ormond Street Hospital, Smile Train, or the World Wildlife Fund, all of which were so important to Richard.

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