Fred A Hardin, 1918 - 1998

Fred A. Hardin
(Past International President )

Passed Away
April 3, 1998

There will be a Memorial Services at:

1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 1998
St. Marys Catholic Church
Washington Street
Greenville, South Carolina

Fred A. Hardin, former International president of the UTU, died Apr. 3 at his home in Boca Raton, Fla., after a short illness. He was 80 years old.

Hardin began his railroad career at Greenville, S.C., in 1940 as a Southern Railway brakeman. He became interested in affairs of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen (BRT) and was elected vice general chairman and then general chairman for his union, handling union affairs with the railroad.

Hardin was elected alternate vice president of the BRT in 1964 and became a full vice president in 1968, winning re-election in 1971 and 1975. He was elected International president of the UTU in 1979 and won re-election at national conventions in 1983 and 1987. He retired in 1991.

Hardin also served as chairman of the Railway Labor Executives' Association from 1981 to 1984 and as chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee for the cooperating railway labor organizations, handling negotiations over health and welfare issues with the nation's rail carriers, from 1973 through 1984.

In 1985, Hardin was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as a member of the President's Advisory Committee on Mediation and Conciliation. He also was appointed by President Gerald Ford as the labor member on a national panel to study rising costs of medical care.

In addition to his union work, Hardin has served on the board of directors for the national YMCA and was active in Democratic Party affairs.

"Hardin's death marks the end of an era," UTU International President Charles L. Little said. "All UTU members, and working men and women everywhere, owe Fred Hardin a debt of gratitude for his tireless efforts on their behalf. We extend our sincere condolences to his family."

Hardin was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor, in 1991. He is survived by a daughters Carol H. Mascia of Boca Raton, Fla., Jane Hardin-Dikman of Tampa, Fla., and son David Hardin of South Florida, and six grandchildren.

The family requests that contributions be made to Hospice by the Sea, 1531 W. Palmetto Park Rd., Boca Raton, Fla. 33486.