Ryan Matthew Hardin

Ryan Hardin, age 42, resident of Portland, Ore, passed away on the evening of Monday, October 24, 2016. He was born December 19, 1973 in Santa Clara County, California, the son of John and Patricia (Clark) Hardin. Ryan grew up in Hollister, CA, attending San Benito High School and playing varsity tennis and basketball. He had a passion for literature, and went on to earn a degree from UC Santa Barbara in English. Soon after, Ryan earned his Masters in Education and went back to his alma mater, SBHS to teach high school English. After moving to Portland, Ore, Ryan taught at both St Paul and Westview High Schools, as a beloved teacher/mentor and colleague. Ryan transitioned out of classroom teaching but not education when he began work in Talent Development at Nike, Inc. in 2012. Ryan was widely known as a hard worker, a giver of his time and talents with a quick wit and a huge heart. He loved cooking up a gourmet meal, coaching and watching basketball, camping, fishing, and talking politics with friends over a Manhattan cocktail.

Ryan is survived by his beloved life partner, Kristen J. Caldwell and his two stepchildren Jonathan, age 11 and Holly, age 10, as well as his brother John, and parents Pat and John Hardin. Legions of former students, colleagues, and dear friends also mourn the loss of Ryan.

In lieu of flowers, his family would encourage donations made to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (online at afsp.org). "I hold it true, whate'er befall, I feel it, when I sorrow most; 'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all. "--A.L. Tennyson