Harold J. Harder, Ph.D. passed away peacefully, with his wife Gail by his side, on November 1, 2011. At Trinity Western University, Harder served in many roles as a program leader and faculty member since 1968. His passion for people, agriculture, and the developing world brought him across the globe, working in various professional capacities in Malaysia, Singapore, India, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Bangladesh.
As a professor, Harder always had an encouraging word for others. His sense of humour would always make those around him smile or laugh. In and out of the classroom, he gave his extra time to his students. “I am sure many of them saw him as a fatherly figure with whom they could confide and seek wisdom and guidance,” said Andrea Soberg, Dean, School of Business.
Harold J. Harder completed his Ph.D. in Agricultural Climatology at Iowa State University in 1979. Later, Harder served as Director of the Mennonite Central Committee program in Bangladesh, a Christian NGO focused on agricultural and small enterprise development. There, he helped to develop agricultural tools for local farmers. He published in numerous journals on development studies, business, economics, and agriculture-related topics.
Harder was highly honoured and elected into the Phi Kappa Phi Society for his academic achievements and also into the Gamma Sigma Delta Society for his efforts in developing agricultural tools for local farmers in Bangladesh.
When he first came to TWU in 1968, Harder served as Chairman, Division of Natural Sciences and as Faculty in the Physics and Mathematics department. From 1985 until his retirement in 2007, Harder taught in the Faculty of Business and Economics, serving as Acting Dean from ’92 to ’96, and in the School of Business serving as Interim Dean from ’99 to ’01.
“I recruited Harold from the Science Faculty in the short run to teach statistics but in the long run to begin the international development minor. It was one of the best decisions I ever made as Dean,” said John Sutherland, former Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics. “Harold is the father of one of the programs of which I am proudest.”
Upon his retirement in 2007, Harder was the Coordinator of International Development Studies and the Coordinator of the International NGO Leadership track in the MA in Leadership Program. In 2008 he was granted the esteemed title Professor Emeritus. At his retirement party, Kevin Sawatsky, JD, Vice Provost, said “I have had the great privilege of having Harold as a faculty colleague for 14 years. Over that time, he has displayed "excellence" in teaching, research, and academic leadership. Harold has also been a great friend and encourager.”
Andrea Soberg, Dean, School of Business said, “When I first became dean, Harold would regularly stop by my office and ask how it was going. It was an encouragement to hear of his time when he led the School of Business. Early on in my tenure as dean, I attempted to have a regular prayer time for the School of Business; Harold was always there and always ready to pray for the School, the faculty, the students, and me. Harold had a great sense of humour – you never knew what word he would pick up on in your sentence and turn into a joke. We will dearly miss him.”
Harold J. Harder is survived by his wife Gail, children Mark and Jennifer, and four grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 12 at 9:30 a.m., at Northview Community Church, 32040 Downes Road, Abbotsford, BC. All are welcome.
The family have requested, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Trinity Western University Dr. Harold Harder School of Business Award. This can be done by mail or online.