Richard L. Hardway

For the past 14 years, Richard Lawrence Hardway looked for the sunshine in every day as he gave cancer the return fight it deserved. On September 26th, 2024, he went to be with the Lord he loved so deeply.  Born on July 18th, 1951 in Fairmont, West Virginia, Rich was the third child but first son of Hobert and Mary Hardway. He would become a big brother a couple years later, and the family would move north to Pennsylvania, settling in West Newton.  Rich was a proud West Newton Hornet, where he was a member of the basketball team. He had many friends, was well-liked by his teachers and adored by his family, especially his siblings. His passion was Art, and many influences along the way led him to study Art at The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg for two years.  Rich was a member of the first men’s basketball team at Pitt Greensburg, an honor that this humble man was proud to speak about. Up until recently, you could often spot him in the stands cheering on the newest generation of Bobcats, creating artwork or apparel for the Men’s Basketball Alumni Club or spreading the word on their Facebook page. The Pitt Main basketball team kept him on the edge of his seat, as he’d catch as many games as he could on TV, emphatically rooting for the Panthers every season.  After two years, he transferred to Pitt in Oakland where he continued his studies and love of basketball. Rich spent time studying Art in France during his collegiate years, but shortly after, something changed for him. He knew he wanted to be a strong provider for his future family, so he decided to pursue a career in Art education.  Always a gentleman, a particular petite brunette who would walk to work in downtown West Newton would catch Rich’s eye as he painted a mural on Main Street on the bank building. After several attempts to talk to her, she decided to give Rich a chance. Elizabeth, or Bettyanne, would become the love of his life and his caregiver in his final years.  After graduation, Rich landed a job in the Woodland Hills School District where he would spend 35 years of his life educating students on the importance of Art, Art history and expressing your creativity. Continuing his love for basketball, Rich, or Mr. Hardway as his students knew him, was honored to coach middle school girls basketball for Woodland Hills West Junior High. When he wasn’t in the classroom, you could find him helping the busses arrival in the morning, talking with the cafeteria workers or standing in the hallway with his best teacher friends, Nick and Paul.  In 1986 and again in 1987, he became a father to Ashlie and Rachael, his blue eyed girls. Despite long hours at school, coaching and working additional jobs to provide for his family, Rich never missed an opportunity to play Candy Land, look at the stars or shoot some hoops in the backyard of their Penn Hills home.  A strong work ethic, unwavering faith in the Lord and the pursuit of fairness were traits Rich exhibited every single day of his life. Wanting to pursue his passion for Art, Rich started a contracting business in the 1990s so he could still paint, create and bring visions to life. His 9-5 and 5-9 meant long, hard-working days with his two girls watching as Dad did everything he could to give them and their Mom a good life.  And a great life he provided. He fixed up their Penn Hills home, hand stenciling the wall paper, using upcycled balusters to accent the fireplace and bringing the original hardwoods back to life. He never hired anyone - if he couldn’t fix it, he’d learn until he could. His hard work allowed for family vacations, back to school shopping trips, college funds and yes, even a family dog that he “didn’t want” (but one knows how that goes!). When time permitted, Rich would be found hanging out at The Duquesne Canoe Club in Verona where he stored his boat that he loved to cruise up and down the Allegheny in the Summer. His integrity followed him to every class lesson, every contracting job and every decision with his family, all while his three girls watched on.  In the late 90s and 2000s, Rich decided to take on a graphic arts business. He quickly secured jobs creating logos that could be seen across Pittsburgh for various organizations and events. His love for creativity and Art evolving once more in the later 2000s as he took up photography and was blessed with his favorite person to photograph: his first grandchild and light of his life, Olivia Violet. Olivia shared her Pappy’s big blue eyes, and never missed an opportunity to sit on his lap at breakfast and steal his cereal.  In 2010, he was diagnosed with CLL, a blood cancer that would move slowly. At first, it didn’t seem so bad - he was able to do the things he loved, work hard, spend time with his family and focus more on contracting and photography since he retired from teaching. Anytime you’d ask Rich how he was doing, he’d always say, “like a new penny” or, “it’s the best day of my life,” even though those closest to him knew it wasn’t. Not even a cancer diagnosis would stop him from completing his Magnum Opus - him and his wife’s dream home in Murrysville that he designed, built and finished himself. The arts and crafts style is truly one of a kind, and Rich’s heart and soul are weaved throughout every piece of trim he hand cut, every window he installed, the studs he set, the paint he so carefully brushed on the walls or the stones he placed by hand.  In recent years, Rich had less time for the things he loved as he fought back against the disease in his body. Despite many hospital stays, cancer treatments and just downright bad days, Rich stood up after each and every punch, remaining positive and refusing to give up working around the house or for others. He continued to show up for his family and never missed a birthday party for his grandkids. In 2017, he got to hold his grandson, Aidan Roy, who he nicknamed, “The Sidewinder” and who also shares Pappy’s blue eyes.  His family has known for several years that every birthday was a blessing, every day was a gift and every plan was a prayer to Father Time. Surrounded by his three girls as he said goodbye, Rich was reunited in heaven with his mother and father who he loved so much, and his baby brother, Ron. Richie and Ronnie were inseparable as boys, and Ron was surely waiting for Rich when arrived at his final home.  Rich is survived by his bride of 42 years, Elizabeth Ann, his daughter Ashlie (Jason) Walos, his daughter Rachael (Kevin) Hardway, his granddaughter Olivia (Livvy) Iachini and grandson, Aidan (The Sidewinder) Walos, as well as beloved sisters Vicki Joseph, Voni (Steve) Keibel and several nieces and nephews. Rich’s other girls, a pug named Gracie and French bulldog named Lily Rose, will keep his spot on the couch warm.  While family is heartbroken that the sun won’t ever shine quite as brightly for them during their remaining time on Earth, they are thankful to have known such a patient, steadfast, strong, hard-working, fair, funny and kind man. The warmth of his love will forever envelop his wife, his grace, love and creativity will live on through his daughters, and his whispers will echo through the walls of his greatest Art project, his home.  The family cannot thank enough the nurses, doctors and staff at Allegheny Health Network’s Monroeville Cancer Center, Forbes Hospital and West Penn Hospital for taking exceptional care of Rich for so long. They also extend their gratitude for the staff at Redstone Highlands Greensburg for providing excellent care.  Rich, Richie, Mr. Hardway, Dad or Pappy - however you knew him, just know that he always wanted the best for you. And Rich, thank you for showing everyone who knew you that goodness, honesty and integrity do exist in the world. You had a life well-lived, and we are honored to have been a part of it. May he now paint our skies and our sunsets. Class dismissed, Mr. Hardway.  Friends will be received 2-4 & 6-8 pm Tuesday at the J. William McCauley, Jr. Funeral Home, 901 Vine St., West Newton, where a funeral service will be held at 11 am Wednesday.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 22470, New York, NY 10087 or lls.org/donate.  Condolences may be left at http://www.mccauleyfuneralhome.com.

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