Kevin Hardy

J. Kevin Hardy, 71, of Riley, KS passed away on April 6, 2026, at The Gardens at Aldersgate Village in Topeka, KS leaving behind a lifetime of stories, laughter, and a legacy of never meeting a stranger.

Kevin was born on September 18, 1954, in Kansas City, KS to the Honorable Judge Donald A. Hardy, Retired Capt. US Navy and Margaret “Peg” (King) Hardy. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother, Michael Hardy, and beloved grandmother, Loretta Margaret “Mamo” King Pasquier.

A graduate of Ward High School, Kevin was captain of the cross-country team and the Kansas City area's first Sea Cadet sworn into the Navy’s first Naval Sea Cadet corps. Kevin proudly served the United States Navy as an Aviation Structural Mechanic aboard the USS America, USS Nimitz as a Plank Owner, and USS Independence serving during Vietnam before being medically discharged. Following his discharge, Kevin attended Kansas City Kansas Community College where he received his Associate’s Degree in Lithography. He then worked for the city of Kansas City, KS until moving to Cooperative Extension at Kansas State University in 1981. He dedicated over 20 years of his career to Kansas State University – where he earned his nickname “professor”. While those chapters were meaningful, they were just part of a much bigger story—one filled with adventure, connection, and a whole lot of personality.

Known to many as “Professor” and to many others as the “Father of Riley” or “Papa Hardy”, Kevin always welcomed new friends and “kids” into his home. You may have never known exactly what you were going to get when with him, you did know Kevin would always be up for a ride on his motorcycle (even if just a short distance up to the gas station to get a coke) or conversation sitting on the front porch. Kevin also enjoyed drawing or “just doodling around” with geometric shapes. His drawings, so creative and special, that a couple of his pieces were selected for an exhibit at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (though if you asked him, he would just shrug it off and change the subject to something more interesting like Harley Davidsons or politics in his later years).

Kevin had a gift for making people feel seen, welcomed, and included. He lived life with curiosity and humor, and he never passed up an opportunity for a good conversation, a good joke, or a new adventure. Simply put, Kevin made life more interesting and more fun for everyone around him.

Kevin was a member of the American Legon Post 17, Saint Peter's Cathedral, and A.B.A.T.E of Kansas for 30 years.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jennifer Hardy (Haggard) of Riley, KS; his children, Chad and Sonja Hardy of Westwood, KS, Seth Hardy of Riley, KS, Sean and Lexi Hardy of Atlanta, KS, and Brynn and Jed Cooper of Yukon, OK. He was a proud grandfather to Cian, Caden, Terrion, Cameron, Jayde, Victoria, Jack, Harley, Leiland, Eleanor, and Langston, each of whom brought him immense joy. As well as his siblings, Brian (Georgette) Hardy of New Braunfels, TX, Karen (Mark) Lair of Chanute, KS, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:30 pm on Monday, April 13, 2026, at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home, followed by inurnment at the Kansas Veteran’s Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Blue Hills Room in Manhattan, KS. For those who are able, we ask that you ride your motorcycle in his honor.

In true Kevin fashion the best way to honor him is to strike up a conversation with someone new, take the scenic route, or say “yes” to an adventure you hadn’t planned. He will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and undoubtedly talked about in countless stories for years to come.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or Wounded Warrior Project and left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home, PO Box 176, Riley, KS 66531.