"Yes, I was the brilliance floating over the snow
and I was the song in the summer leaves, but this was
only the first trick
I had hold of among my other mythologies,
for I also knew obedience: bringing sticks to the nest,
food to the young, kisses to my bride.  

But don’t stop there, stay with me: listen.  

If I was the song that entered your heart
then I was the music of your heart, that you wanted and needed,
and thus wilderness bloomed there, with all its
followers: gardeners, lovers, people who weep
for the death of rivers.  

And this was my true task, to be the
music of the body. Do you understand? for truly the body needs
a song, a spirit, a soul.  And no less, to make this work,
the soul has need of a body,
and I am both of the earth and I am of the inexplicable
beauty of heaven
where I fly so easily, so welcome, yes,
and this is why I have been sent, to teach this to your heart."

My family Doctor referred me to Dr,Hardy over a year ago. On my first visit with him i was waiting in the exam room for him to come in. I was expecting a much older doctor, one closer to retirement age. When Dr. Hardy walked in it completely "threw" me. Without thinking, i heard myself softly say "oooh". He smiled and asked me if everything was ok. I said "it is now"! He looked at me with a puzzled expression and i had to tell him i thought he was going to be real old because i had only been to old, ready to retire doctors and he was the first cute one i have ever had. He laughed and said he hoped he could be as knowledgeable and helpful as one of my older doctors'. Before i left, i asked him if i could take his picture so my daughter could see how cute he was. He didn't want me to take one with just him in it, so he stood next to his assistant. I am posting this picture in Memory of Dr. Hardy and in closing i want to say "Thank-You" for all that you did to relieve the severe pain i had for so long. I hope you knew how grateful i was.

I am stricken with heavy emotions that cannot be expressed in words.  Dr. Keith Hardy’s personal qualities deserve more attention than can be put into words here, but I would like to share a story.  I was one of his first patients when he arrived, replacing Dr. Hager.  I recall our first meeting; Dr. Hager was giving him much praise and high regard.  Dr. Hager asked me if Dr. Hardy could give my injection and I replied to  Dr. Hardy “are you good at giving injections, I really don’t like needles,” when he completed the procedure he inquired how he did and I responded “good, I didn’t feel pain but your hands were cold.”  He smiled and chuckled “well, I’ll work on that.”   In my next visit he informed me that Dr. Hager had left and he would be my physician if that was ok with me, “I shared I was disappointed that Dr. Hager left without saying goodbye and I requested that he must not do that to me if he leaves this practice, he shared he wouldn’t and then I added, “you have some mighty big shoes to fill Dr. Hardy but I get a sense you’ll do just fine.”   Years later he continued my treatment beyond my expectations building a healing, caring relationship with me.  His warm hands and gentle heart along with Bree by his side kept me in good spirits while providing amazing care.  His loving heart and an ever humble perspective will be truly missed.  Dr. Keith Hardy left this world not saying goodbye but “Take Care” and until we see him again he will always be present with his spirit.

My story has no great message. Just a remembrance of a great time had and the sadness that we wont be able to do it again.

Keith and I had talked for a few years of doing one trip or another but nothing ever gelled. Finally last fall as the larch needles turned golden and the snow was starting to fly we connected on a trip to the east side. About 20 miles west of Winthrop we parked for the night and slept in my camper van.

The following day was not glorious. Grey skies and occaisonal high winds kept us moving up and up in elevation. By the time we hit the first alpine lake at 8 miles in we were ready for lunch. Wow, we thought, look at all the trout coming to the surface. No, those aren't trout, that is rain. Argh. Back in the saddle to stay warm.

The riding was fabulous at this point. We were right at treeline riding through golden larches, granite domes, and high Pasayten peaks. The riding turned to pushing as we crested the ridge and eventually rode to 8051'! The winds howled over the ridge as we desperately tried to get what little clothes on that we had. Snow whipped around us and we grew bluer by the minute. Finally we pushed down the other side into swirling snow and 100' visibility.

What fun!

A thousand feet down we warmed considerably (oh, maybe 38 degrees?). Our ride went on and on. Muddy trails, grassy hillsides, alpine lakes, and long grunts up another pass.

What fun!

The last 8 miles of the ride dropped ~3000'. Screaming descent was the call of the moment. Being a cold day there weren't any others on the trail and we could really let it wind out. Keith floated effortlessly 100-200' in front of me. Whenever he grew closer I knew the trail was more difficult and I would slow. As he disappeared I'd open up to ~30mph careening through rock gardens and hardpack dirt trails.

The smiles back at the van took a week to wear off. Keith and I had ridden the Eagle and Cooney lakes loop in fine style. My disappointment to not be able to do this again makes me sad.

Keith was a great friend family man, doctor, and athlete. His presence will be missed.

Keith has made an immeasurable and lasting impression on me.  His mentorship as a physician has raised the standard of all fellows, residents and doctors who have trained with him.  He was incredibly intelligent, and continuously pushed for perfection in his practice.  His ability to more deeply connect with a patient and build a trusting relationship was unmatched.  His principles were unwavering.  

His mentorship extended far beyond the practice of medicine.  He exuded passion and limitless energy in everything he did.  He was an optimist even in times of uncertainty.  He lived life to the fullest each and every day.  He maintained a work-life-family balance even when work weighed heavily.  He never forgot what the most important things are in life.  

Although I feel our time together was cut too short, I am exceedingly grateful to have had such an amazing mentor and friend, and I will try my best to follow in his footsteps.