Captain Steven A. Hardin

Captain Steven A. Hardin, 71, passed away peacefully at sunrise on June 25, 2018, in Baltimore, Maryland, following a brief hospitalization and hospice care. Steven was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1946, the first of six children of Lt. Col. (R) Hiram A. and Margaret L. Hardin. Over the 35-year military career of his father, he moved around the United States and the world. In keeping with a long family tradition of military service, Steven was a proud graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), class of 1969. He was a sixteen-year veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserves and Vietnam-era veteran, serving as a young ensign in Saigon harbor. Steven was a seafarer by vocation, working more than three decades in Baltimore Harbor for the Baker Whiteley Towing Company and the McAllister Brothers Towing. He was a tugboat captain for most of his career. His Merchant Mariner credentials qualified him as a Master and First Class Pilot, which authorized him to pilot foreign merchant vessels and other large ships into the harbor. Throughout his life, Steven was a man of faith, most recently a member of the Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church and a mainstay of the food pantry mission there.   Steven was also a marathoner in his 50s and 60s, competing in 17 marathons and 15 half marathons and participated in six tall-building climbs. Steven’s love of popular music started early and gave him joy throughout his life. As a teenager, he played the saxophone in the High School band in his hometown of Plainfield, Indiana, and was a member of a local dance band combo in high school. He was a member of the USMMA Regimental Band and led the band as drum major in the 1969 Presidential Inauguration Parade.   He enjoyed going to concerts and traveled to see every new production of Cirque du Soleil.   Throughout his life, he absolutely loved to dance, and could be found wherever there was a good dance floor and a great DJ or dance band. As serious as Steven was about his professional responsibilities, he embraced his personal life on all levels. A high-energy man, Steven seemed constantly in motion, determined to enjoy each and every moment. He had a generous heart, unforgettable laugh and ready smile. Steven is survived by loving siblings Kathleen Hardin List, Kent Hardin, Susan Swope Hawver, Chris Hardin, John Hardin; nephews and nieces Ethan, Evan, Matthew, Natalie, Nicholas, Heather, Magon, Amber, Brandy, Curtis, Melissa, and their families; cousins Jim, Dick, Linda, Laura, Dan, Judy, Corky and their families. There were many in Baltimore who were dear to Steven, where he made his home for more than 40 years. Among them were the Malone Family, to whom he became a family member, godfather and Uncle Steven; dancing partner Jan; food-pantry buddy Jim, and others, too many to mention by name. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, step-father, aunts, uncles and cousin. His family wishes to express their deepest appreciation for the many shipmates and classmates, church friends, caregivers and loved ones who shared their love, stories, prayers, and support with Steven and the family.   Steven will be laid to rest in Plainfield, Indiana. A Celebration of Life will be at a later date. Donations may be made to the Food Pantry, Severna Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church 110 Ritchie Highway Pasadena, MD 21122 or the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center, 1430 Wallace St., Baltimore MD 21230. To you, Steven, we wish fair winds and following seas and God’s blessings. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, June 28 at the F.O.P. Lodge, 5818 Sugar Grove Rd., Plainfield from 6:00 pm until 10:00 pm.  Inurnment will be at Maple Hill Cemetery on Saturday, June 29 at 10:30 am.