Bobby Dale “Bob’ Hards

Bobby Dale “Bob” Hards, 83, Topeka, KS, died Monday, March 18, 2013, at Aldersgate Village.

He was born on April 10, 1929, in Morrill, KS, the son of Harvey and Maude (Taylor) Hards.  He graduated from Hiawatha High School in 1948 and attended Ottawa University on a football scholarship for one year before going into military service.  Bob served in the U.S. Army from January 1951 until December 1952, serving 18 months active duty in Germany.

From 1955 until 1970, Mr. Hards was the vice president of Aristo Foods, Inc., a company that leased and operated Holiday Inn Restaurants in many states from Brock Hotels, Inc.  Later in 1971, he joined Stevenson Co., Inc., an institutional kitchen equipment and restaurant supplies supplier, where he was sales manager until his retirement in December 1998.

He married Peggy J. Fletchall on Dec. 24, 1954, in Topeka.

Bob is survived by his wife, a brother, Delmar Hards, Everett, WA, two sisters, Bonnie Hossfeld, Falls City, and Betty Irving, Tulsa, OK, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by four siblings, Lucille Winters, Elmer Hards, Barbara Richey and Wilma Carter.

Funeral services were held Friday, March 22, at the Mount Hope Chapel in Topeka. Entombment with military honors followed the service. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at Mount Hope Chapel.  Penwell-Gable Mid-Town Chapel assisted with arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Topeka Rescue Mission, 600 N. Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66608 or Grace Hospice, 3715 SW 29th St., Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66614.