Ivan Hardt
June 6, 1932 to August 30, 2018
Ivan Ewald Hardt, 86, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa died Thursday, August 30th, 2018, at St. Luke’s Hospital. A service will be held at a later date at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids with interment at Garnavillo Cemetery
Survivors include his beloved wife, Doris; sons, Evan Hardt of Des Moines, and Brett(Julie) Hardt, Buffalo, MN; grandchildren, Aaron Shupert of Cedar Rapids, Bryce (Ashley) Hardt, Aviano Italy, Erik(Ashley) Hardt Grimes and Tristan Hardt, Buffalo, MN; nephew, Bob (Vickie) Hardt; niece Susan (Clarence) Pund; and great-grandchildren, Eiler Hardt, Grimes ,and Autumn and Eli Hardt, Aviano, Italy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marie and Ewald Hardt; his brothers, Harold Hardt and Aaron Hardt; and daughter, Monica Hardt.
Ivan was born June 6th, 1932 in St. Olaf, Iowa. He married his wife Doris on June 24th, 1954
Ivan graduated in three years from Iowa State University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He had a rewarding career with Collins Radio and Rockwell International for 26 years and was part of many of the important innovations with regard to SATCOM/SINGAR Communication Technology for the Apollo program as well as radar defense systems in the military. After retiring he wanted to explore GPS technology for farming and built his own business, GPS Crop Systems. He enjoyed working with people who wanted to find a better way of doing something, not just the easy way. He had many interests and projects, including barn and mill restoration, bed and breakfast operations, Civil War history and was an active Lincoln scholar who reviewed and presented papers and a Lincoln Marker in Winchester, Illinois. He was instrumental in spreading the word about conservation and no-till farming on his own farms and enjoyed nature, birds and proper forest management. He was also on the historical Motor Mill Board.
He loved the St. Louis Cardinals and was an avid ISU fan. He enjoyed the many cats he had over the years, Timmy, Morris and Oreo. He wanted to build a legacy for historical purposes but also wanted to have a loving foundation within the family for generations to come.
He will be deeply missed by all of us and his loving hand that intervened in tough times but drew us close for celebration. The family asks in lieu of flowers that memorials be given to Our Savior Lutheran Church and Garnavillo Historical Museum.