Howard Wesley Hardy Jr.

Following a distinguished career in diplomatic service, including assignments in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Washington, D.C., Howard Wesley Hardy, Jr., who in retirement from the United States Information Agency joined the staff of his alma mater, Howard University, as consultant in international affairs, passed away on April 23, 2024. Mr. Hardy’s U.S. government career with USIA and the Department of State spanned a period of forty-one years.

Son of the late Howard W. Hardy, Sr., and Susie Nathalie Smith Hardy, Howard, Jr., was born June 18, 1925, in East Orange, N. J. Shortly before graduation at Orange High School in 1943, he was drafted into the U.S. Army for service in World War II, spending time in the Pacific. Upon his return to the United States in February 1946, he entered Howard University, Washington, D.C., where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1950. Howard was a proud mentee of the late legendary sociologist, Professor E. Franklin Frasier.

On March 24, 1951, he and the love of his life, Ms. Mildred Christine Nelson, were Joined in holy matrimony at the Church of the Master in New York City by the Reverend James Robinson, Pastor, and Founder/President of Operation Cross Roads, Africa. The happy couple re-located to Washington the following year, becoming members of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, under the pastorate of Father Van Croft. Howard identified always as a Christian and felt strongly that “Your faith is the embodiment of your character.”

The union between Howard and Mildred was blessed with three children, Howard III, Charles, and Susan.

During this period of family building, Howard decided on a career in international affairs, joining the United States Information Agency in 1956. His first assignment abroad – to Algiers – came in 1963 as Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer and later, Assistant Public Affairs Officer. He also served as Consular Officer in Oran, becoming the first U.S. Foreign Service Officer in that post since Algiers won its independence from France. It was in Algiers also that Howard won his first of several awards of merit in USIA.

In addition to this first assignment in Algiers, Howard Hardy, a specialist in Public and Cultural Affairs, held noteworthy assignments over the years in these positions in France, Laos, Switzerland and the U.S. From 1968 to 1971, he became renowned in France and widely among prominent Americans as Director of the Dragon (American) Cultural Center in Paris. As a diplomat in the area of public and cultural affairs, he served as Director of cultural centers; Senior Advisor and Coordinator for UNESCO Affairs; Deputy Director of African and American Cultural Programs, and as Deputy Executive Director (USIA) of the Board of Examiners for the Foreign Service.

Upon his retirement from the Foreign Service, Hardy joined the staff of the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University as Consultant and Advisor to the Director. As such, he served as Project Manager for the Ambassador Patricia Roberts Harris Public Affairs Program, Consultant and Advisor in Study Abroad and the Rangel Foreign Service Officer Training Program, and as Director of Special Projects. He loved and cared for the University’s students, staff, and community. Howard also treasured his time working with a dear friend of 50 years, The Honorable Dr. Horace Dawson, former US Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana.

His distinguished career and life experiences included opening the Cultural Center in Paris in 1968, a place for students to develop dialogue to resolve conflicts; caring for orphaned children in the Philippines including bringing a child home to live with his family (as an alternative punishment for stealing); and adopting a Vientiane youth—Boonpheng Savanavong after the death of his father and brothers. Boonpheng remained with the family until he went to college in Hawaii at the East-West University.

A 40-year resident of Park Place, and adored by his neighbors, he served on the Condominium Board of Directors managing budget and security for the association.

For at least 10 years, he and his daughter were members of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden Spiritual Walker’s where Howard was its oldest member.

Beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, friend, church member, and neighbor, he is survived by two children, Susan Odella Hardy, RN, CPHQ and Howard Wesley Hardy, III, M.D.; daughter-in-law, Mary S. Henifin, Esq.; granddaughter, Fin Harmany, MS; grandson-in-law, Jakub Harmany, MS; and great-grandson, Kyzyl Harmany.

He is also survived by his nephew, John Ray; sister-in-law, Ursula Day; and two nieces, Christine and Ellen; and cousins, including Ray (Butch) and Annette Sharif (and children); Tommy, and Georgia Aiken (and children); Ginger Osterhoudt (and children); Douglas and Maxine (and children); and Barbara Leigh (and children); and many other family members.

In addition to his wife, Howard is predeceased by son, Charles Nelson Hardy; brother, Charles Hardy; sister, Susan Elizabeth Ray; foster brother, Roy Boston; brother-in-law, Fenton Day; and several cousins including Elizabeth, Ernie, Chester, Harry, Louise, Vivian, Eldridge, Muriel, Norman, and LeRoy.

The family wishes to express our deep appreciation for all the cards, gifts, calls, emails, and text messages expressing condolences and prayers. We are deeply appreciative of the care and kindness to Howard from the MedStar House Call Program’s Dr. Eric Karl DeJonge and Sarah Rubin (Nurse Practitioner); the Caregivers Institute; Georgetown Home Health and all the wonderful staff who cared for him throughout his illness; and our endearing appreciation to special and loving friends Timothy Hill and Jennifer Douglas.

Funeral services will be held for Howard Hardy, Jr. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1514 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 on Friday, May 10, 2024. The interment will be at Ft. Lincoln Cemetery immediately following. You are invited after the internment to join family and friends for the repast at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Howard W. Hardy may be made to: Howard University, Ralph Bunche Center (https://www.giving.howard.edu) or St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Music Ministry (https://stlukesdc.org/donation).