1930 - 2019
Dr. Robert Hardin was born in Kelat, Kentucky, November 8, 1930, to his parents Theodore Hardin and Kathryn Wheeler Hardin and sister Audrey Hardin Goodloe. He grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, graduated from Lafayette High School, Lexington, Kentucky and completed his undergraduate degree from Asbury University (1952).
He earned his M.D. degree at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, class of 1956, followed by an internship and surgical residency at Indiana University Medical Center. His residency was interrupted by serving two years as Captain in the United States Army in the Army Research Laboratory at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. In 1964, upon completion of his surgical residency he moved to Nashville with his wife JoAnn Hawkins Hardin. Dr. Hardin began his surgical practice at Miller Clinic in East Nashville. In 1969, Dr. Hardin and Dr. Jackson Harris started the Cardiac Surgical Program at Baptist Hospital. He served as Chief of Surgery and was the first elected Chief of Staff (not appointed by the hospital administration), and was active in practice until 1996, when he assumed a hospital administrative position. He was Chief Medical Officer from 1997-2007, as well as Interim CEO for a time during the transition with Saint Thomas.
Dr. Hardin received multiple honors during his years of practice including the Heart of Baptist award, became a member of the Seaton Society, in 2012 the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at St. Thomas Midtown Hospital was named in his honor. In addition to being a loving husband and father he was dedicated to his patients, a wonderful storyteller and beloved friend and mentor.
He enjoyed telling the greatest story ever regarding the beginning of US Space Exploration and one of the first astronauts - the monkey “Abel”, which is chronicled in LIFE Magazine, June 1959.
He is survived by his wife Laurie, children Tom (Lisa), Jack (Joanie), Bill (Lisa), of Nashville; Katie (Bryan) Honaker of Brooklyn, New York; Jimmy Thompson (Michelle) of Tampa, Florida; their children and great-grandchildren.
Family and friends will gather to remember Dr. Bob on Friday, May 3, 4-8pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lance and on Saturday, May 4, noon-2pm, at the First Church of the Nazarene. Funeral service will be Saturday, May 4, at 2pm at the First Church of the Nazarene, 510 Woodland Street.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Alive Hospice or the Salvation Army in Dr. Bob’s honor.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18