RICHARD MICHAEL HARDER

Remembering Richard

Richard (aka Rich) was born in Denver, CO on March 1, 1960 to Bill and Shirley Harder. A short time later, they moved to MN where both sides of the family resided. He was blessed with a beautiful baby sister, Alicia, in 1963 and they were best friends for life. He found his love for the guitar at around age 11 while listening to the song "American Pie" by Don McLean. He was self taught and you couldn't stop him from there. Rich primarily grew up around the Twin Cities area, but made his final friends and home in Wayzata, MN while attending Wayzata High School. There he met his first love, Julie. They were married in 1980 and had two kids, Sheena and Keith. Rich had an 11 year career with Town and Country Dodge which suited him and his passion for cars. He ended a 20 year career with Regis Corporation in 2020.

Richard was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who invigorated all with the sound of his strings. He performed lead guitar and back up vocals in many bands including Basic Facts, Stokely Baker, Proper English, The Other Side, Don't Ask, Freedom Station and Skewed View. As a guitarist, Rich was always humble, but to those that knew him he was pure fury on the strings. Rich had a deep love for music, antiques, cars, cooking, comedy, dogs and his pet fish. All animals, especially dogs, loved and gravitated towards Rich. Though a soft spoken man, Rich was never short on solid advice when asked, and a good joke to brighten anyone's day which put those around him at ease. His laughter, jokes, and guitar playing will be forever missed by all those that knew and loved him.

Rich was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Yvonne Harder and father, William Ewald Harder. Survived by his children, Sheena Harder, Keith (Kaila) Harder and the mother of his children, Julie Harder; sister, Alicia (Randy) Livingston; nephew, Cory (Shannon) Livingston-Harris, niece, Angie (Aaron) Geffre; grandchildren, Wesley, Whitney and Ellis; great niece and nephew, Alli and Aiden; and last but not least, his dog nephew, Riley, aka Butzer Boy, along with many other loving family and friends.

Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers for donation to a local animal rescue of the family’s choosing.

memorial service

Memorial / Celebration of Life

December 10, 2021

Wayzata Free Church 705 County Rd 101, Plymouth, MN 55447, USA

1 hour visitation prior to the service starts at 1pm. Service begins at 2pm. All are welcome. We will also be streaming live via the link below for those that can't make it or aren't comfortable with crowds. We'd love you to help us celebrate Rich's life either way. Thank you.

Link to livestream service (please copy and paste into a browser - it will be in countdown mode until the service begins): https://subspla.sh/sysktzg

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services