Richard "Red" H. Hardt

Richard “Red” Hardt, age 91, of Toledo, OH passed away at home on June 25, 2025 surrounded by family. Red was born in Toledo to Rosalie (Lihs) and Herman Hardt on October 7, 1933. He graduated from Macomber Vocational High School in 1951, learning the auto body collision service trade. He worked in Perrysburg for Carl Schmidt Chevrolet for 17 years, and for Bob Schmidt Chevrolet for 18 years, as a combination bodyman.

Red was drafted into the US Army in 1956 and served 16 months in Korea. He married his lifelong sweetheart, Carol Wilhelm in May of 1956. Red was active in the German American Festival Society, serving as president of the GAF Society for four years, president of the Toledo Swiss Society for 13 years, and president of the GAF Retirees Club. Red was also the GAF Public Relations chairman for 9 years and he sang with the Toledo Swiss Singers for 33 years, traveling throughout the United States and Canada for competition singing.

Red was a longtime member of St Patrick of Heatherdowns Church and sang in its choir for many years. He was also active with St Pat's Social Club. Red loved to play golf, bowl and travel. When he was younger, he drove a modified stock car and raced in the Toledo circuit. He loved to drive and drove all over the United States and Europe.

In addition to his parents and wife, Carol who passed in February 2009, Red was preceded in death by his son, David Hardt; brother, Harold Hardt; and sister, Harriette Johnson Moore. He is survived by his daughters, Donna Hardt and Mary (Joel) Garcia; grandchildren, Erica (Zach) Wolff, Sarah (Josh) Keller, Hannah (Kevin) Benbow, Samuel and Abigail Garcia; great grandchildren, Adelyn and Max Wolff, Nolan and Owen Benbow.

Family and friends will be received at Newcomer Funeral Home, South Chapel, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd, Toledo, Ohio 43614 on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 from 3:00 PM-8:00 PM. On Wednesday, July 2 morning prayers will be recited in the funeral home at 10:15 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns Catholic Church, 4201 Heatherdowns Boulevard. Interment will follow in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. Memorial donations in Red’s name may be made to the Ohio Living Hospice or the donor’s choice.