Edwin Hardin

Edward Milton Hardin of Chelsea, AL passed away on May 8, 2019. The son of Kyle Felton Hardin and Ella Ferguson Hardin, he was born in Jefferson County, AL on June 11, 1926. He was predeceased by his parents, wife, Loraine and daughter, Judith Hardin Stickley and by his brother, Kyle F. Hardin, Jr. He is survived by his daughter, Jenny Renee Childers and grandchildren Rachel and Adam. He is also survived by son-in-law, Michael Stickley and granddaughters Anna and Leah Stickley.
Following service with an engineer combat battalion in World War II in the Philippines and Japan and the Korean conflict, Ed entered the Univ. of Alabama, earned a degree in civil engineering, graduating at the top of his class. After working for Walter Schoel Engineering, he joined Rust International Corp. in 1963. He rose to the rank of vice president-operations in 1989. He also served as president, Rust Engineering of New York, North Carolina and Michigan, and vice president, Pullman Power of Ohio. He retired from Rust in 1992.
Mr. Hardin served as vice chair and chairman of the Alabama State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. He was also active in the Alabama and National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Iron and Steel Engineers, American Society of Military Engineers, and the American Society of Engineering Education. He played a large part in the formation and charter of the Birmingham Chapter of the American Society of Certified Engineering Technicians. He founded the Engineering Advisory Council at the Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham and served as its first chairman.
The community also benefitted from Ed's involvement in the United Way, Kiwanis Club, Birmingham Chapter of the American Red Cross, Chamber of Commerce and Optimist Club.
Known for self-deprecating jokes and humility, Ed was good natured, kind and respected by all who knew him. His positive attitude continued beyond his career. He often said he was so lucky to have retired on a farm in Chelsea, where he made lots of friends and later Ed remarked on his good fortune at finding such perfect assisted living situation at Hidden Acres, where he passed away.
Visitation will be on Tues. May 14 at 1:00 PM, with a service at 2:00PM at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, 1591 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham AL. Interment will follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the American Cancer Society.