Donald L. Hardison
March 23, 1916 – September 17, 2012
Resident of El Cerrito
Architect Donald Hardison passed away September 17, 2012, in his home at the age of 96. Born in Fillmore, CA, Don graduated from Cal Berkeley School of Architecture ’38 and served during World War II as a naval architect at Mare Island and Richmond’s Kaiser Shipyards. He founded Hardison Komatsu Architects which continues today as HKIT Architects, Oakland, and was noted for designing schools, churches, and multi-family, student, and senior housing throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and California. Among his most noteworthy projects were Easter Hill Village in Richmond, California, and the UC Berkeley Student Union Complex including Zellerbach Hall. During his 40 years of architectural practice, he served in many roles for the American Institute of Architects (AIA), including Chancellor of the AIA College of Fellows. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. After his retirement in 1987, he worked to restore the SS Red Oak Victory ship in Richmond and remained active in the Richmond Art Center, Rotary Club of Richmond, Cal Alumni, Richmond Museum of History and Richmond Chamber of Commerce. He is survived by his wife Betty of 70 years; son Steve Hardison and wife Lois; daughter Jan Brown and husband Byron; brother Jim Hardison; and grandchildren Chaitra Hardison, Matthew Brown, and Jennifer Finigan.
Friends and acquaintances are invited to a celebration of Don’s life at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley (corner of Channing Dana), Oct. 12 at 2pm. Private burial at Sunset View Cemetery, El Cerrito. Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to the Richmond Art Center (2540 Barrett Ave. Richmond, CA 94805), and the SS Red Oak Victory (c/o Richmond Museum of History, PO Box. 1267, Richmond, CA 94802), or charity of choice .
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