Robert "Bob" Harlan Hardy

Robert H. "Bob" Hardy 93, a lifelong resident of Keene and Stoddard, NH, passed away on December 13, 2023 at the Applewood Care and Rehabilitation Center in Winchester, NH, with his special nurse by his side.

His parents, Harold R. and Edith E. (Peace) Hardy welcomed their son into the world on November 23, 1930, in Keene, NH. Robert grew up in Keene and was a 1949 graduate of Keene High School.

As a teenager, Bob joined the Civil Air Patrol. This role lent him to enlist in the Air Force where he proudly served his country as a land vehicle mechanic, and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War.

It was while he was in basic training in Blairsville, PA, that he met the love of his life and future wife, Julia Magowen. They were married on August 3, 1954, and he and "Julie" created many wonderful memories together for 64 years until her passing in 2018.

Robert’s career path centered on protecting and caring for others. He worked for 34 years with the Keene Police Department, working up through the ranks from a patrolman to detective sergeant, retiring in 1990. He was the lead investigator in solving the "Black Widow" murders back in the late 70’s into early 80’s.

He was a longtime member of the Keene Lions Club, receiving their highest award of a Melvin Jones Fellowship. Bob was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose; the Gordon Bissell American Legion Keene Post #4; and the Veterans of Foreign War Keene Post #799. While residing in Stoddard, Robert was a member of the Stoddard Congregational Church.

He was an avid skier, and enjoyed being in the out of doors, fishing, boating, and hunting. He loved capturing special moments with his camera. Robert was an avid NASCAR fan.

His true passion in life was that as a husband, father, grandfather and friend to many.

He will be greatly missed by many, especially his three children, Donna D. Lewis and her husband, William, of Hillsborough, NH, David K. Hardy and his wife, Nancy, of West Swanzey, NH, Robert E. Hardy and his wife, Suzanne, of Keene, NH; ten grandchildren, Heather Lazowski and her husband, Eric, Jonathan Lewis, Brandon Lewis, Tiffany Lewis, Matthew Hardy and his wife, Chelsea, Nathan Hardy, Meghan Chase and her husband, Alex, Jeremy Hardy, Benjamin Hardy, Jake Breen; six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lois Ann Burube, of Springfield, NH.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 1:00PM in the Monadnock Covenant Church, 90 Base Hill Road, Keene. Burial with military honors will be in the spring in the New Dow Hill Cemetery, Stoddard.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made in Mr. Hardy’s memory to the Keene Lions Club Sight and Hearing Program, PO Box 62, Keene, NH 03431.

The family wishes to thank the Applewood Care and Rehabilitation Center for the wonderful care provided to our dad, granddad, and great-granddad.