It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Richard Hunt Harding (aka, Rick, Rickey, Papa, Dad, and UR), of Savannah, Georgia. Rick was born in Glendale, California on October 26, 1943; and he was 81 years old at the time of his death.

Rick was born to the Hon. Kenneth Robert Harding, 31st Sergeant-at-Arms of the U.S. House of Representatives and his mother, Jane Sarah Addison Wedderburn Harding. He was the second eldest of four boys: Kenneth, (Richard), Bruce, and Victor. His dear brother Bruce preceded him in death.

Along with his beloved Patty, together nearly 25 years, and daughter, Courtney Kleiber, Rick is survived by two sons, Kevin Dunaway Harding (wife Clair Doctor, and granddaughter Makana’o’nalani) of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Brian Harding (wife Malika Harding) of Amsterdam, the Netherlands and grandsons Erick, Thair, Nyako, and granddaughters, Rita, Erma, Yolanda, Erika, and Jelan. He had 11 beloved nieces and nephews and loved his family dearly. A master of the art of listening, he was a true consigliere to everyone.

Rick’s life was filled with many adventures! He was a Congressional page in his teens. He attended Capitol Page School in the Library of Congress, class of 1961. He later graduated from Duke University in 1965 and played basketball with his beloved Blue Devils during part of his freshman year. He then went on to receive his J.D. degree from the William & Mary School of Law in 1968. During his summers, he worked in Yosemite National Park where he developed a deep love of nature.

Additionally, he had a distinguished service in the Marine Corps, where he served as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) and ascended to the role of Military Judge. He somehow finagled a tough tour of duty on Kane’ohe Marine Corps Air Station on O’ahu, during the Vietnam War. How he loved his  Marines, and he had over 50 Marine Corps tee-shirts he wore regularly.

Following his tour of duty in Hawaii, Rick was admitted to the Bar in California, and was quickly hired by the law firm, Littler Mendelson P.C., in San Francisco in 1973. Rick was the company’s 11th attorney! Littler is now the world’s largest Labor and Employment law firm (on the management side) which has 1840 attorneys worldwide. 

Rick played a pivotal role in establishing the firm’s Walnut Creek office in the 80’s and served as its first Office Managing Shareholder. He was an integral part of Littler’s growth and an exceptional litigator – leaving an indelible mark on numerous successful cases. 

He worked on several very notable cases, including one of Littler’s first big lawsuits on behalf of the California Trucking Association against the Teamsters Union, which they won. Rick was not only a former Shareholder and Board member, but also a cherished mentor to many of Littler’s associates and partners over the years, even as he wound down his practice. 

He maintained many lasting friendships with attorneys across the firm. His legacy of dedication, professionalism and camaraderie will always be remembered. They affectionately referred to him as the ‘dinosaur’ in his later years and firm directory. 

Rick concluded his prominent 43-year career with Littler when he retired. He and Patty relocated to their personal paradise in the Landings on Skidaway Island, to play on their legendary six golf courses.

And how he loved to golf! One of his fondest memories was playing golf with his father to celebrate Rick’s 50th and his father’s 80th birthdays! Rick arranged three special golf courses for his father to play on in California, including his home course at Contra Costa Country Club, Pebble Beach Golf Links, and a special treat playing at the Cyprus Point Club. It almost took an ‘act of God’ to get onto Cyprus Point, but with a little help from the then Secretary of State, George Schultz, made that wish come true! Rick was generous to a fault and immediately returned the favor with bottles of fine bourbon to his dear benefactor.

Rick’s love of sports was limitless. He enjoyed skiing at Lake Tahoe where his boys became excellent skiers. He originally enjoyed the Washington Redskins in the NFL, and then the Washington Senators in the old American League, and everything else in-between.

But! His true love was for his Duke Blue Devil basketball team and if he had a game taped, he would summarily chastise friends who would call and mention the score before he could watch it. Rick truly enjoyed going to watch his Bay-area teams, including the Golden State Warriors, The Giants, and the San Francisco 49ers. He enjoyed going to many games over the years with Patty and his kids. In fact, he refused to move to Savannah unless he could make certain he could arrange the sports feeds for his West coast teams! Of course, that was done immediately.

Rick was a voracious reader! One of Rick’s favorite pastimes was sitting on the patio overlooking the golf course relaxing with a good book on his iPad. This he often did with one of his two beloved Egyptian Mau cats on his lap while watching the many distinctive birds that visited his bird feeder.

Rick’s sense of humor was his signature trait, and he was always quick to smile! He loved a good joke and kept a repertoire of over-the-top stories. He enjoyed teasing friends and family; and he had an innate ability to laugh and get along with people from all walks of life. 

He was also known for his kindness towards others. Rick would help those who were down and out and less fortunate. He loved fundraising for the Wheelchair Foundation with Patty for many years in Savannah and going on distribution trips to help disperse them to those less fortunate. One of his biggest joys was on a trip to St. Lucia where 280 wheelchairs were given out with the help of the Rotarians. He climbed up a steep hill to give an elderly man a wheelchair who was living in a small room with no windows for nearly eight years. There was such joy and tears that overflowed when the gentleman had been given mobility and wheeled out onto a small porch into the sunlight for the first time. 

This captured Rick’s passion for traveling around the world, with an  inquisitive mind, learning about various cultures and people. One of his favorite trips with Patty was a 60-day cruise around South America. Each country was so unique and special! He even stayed up all night during ‘Carnaval’ in Rio de Janeiro and joined in the celebration not skipping a beat! 

On a more Spiritual note, Rick and Patty joined the Skidaway Island Methodist Church and became active in their Christian community. Rick was on the Board of Trustees of the church. He loved the Lord and spent 1 ½ to 2 hours each morning before he started his day reading the Bible or listening to other ministers talk about numerous topics. Rick was a humble man who went to the alter to pray at church every Sunday during the last hymn before the benediction. 

Rick lived a full life and addressed each day with joy. They broke the mold when Richard Hunt Harding was born. He loved so many people and above all, his Sovereign Lord. His faithfulness showed us what a good man he was and he lite the way for many to follow. May his legacy of love, kindness, and strength continue to inspire all who knew him. His laughter, wisdom, and unwavering love will forever echo in the hearts of those he cherished.

*Rick’s ‘Celebration of Life’ was held on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025. His ashes were scattered at his favorite spots across the country and the rest were inurned at the Skidaway Island Methodist Church Memorial Gardens.
His favorite charities were The Wheelchair Foundation and Tunnel to Towers (T2T).