Andy Langan NTE 75 here -- kind of an interloper, I know, on this NTE74 page. But I had the privilege of knowing Jim for many years starting with Washburne Junior High, including at NTE as a junior in Boys Ensemble while Jim was the senior leader of the group. As is clear from his obituary, Jim took pride in his high school activities including Boys Ensemble with Dr Peterman, as well as varsity football on the great undefeated Indians team in the fall of 1973 (so sorry he will miss the Reunion of that team ths October -- that seems cruel and unfair). Jim was an exemplary leader of the Boys Ensemble in 1973-74 and was kind to all, including the lowly juniors like me. Later in life he was likewise kind to my family when our son showed an interest in Bowdoin College, of which Jim was a proud graduate. I will miss Jim, a man of faith, and may he Rest in Peace.
Andrew, Thank you for sharing ... Long time since the days of Dr Peterman. At last check he was 100 and going strong. I remember Jim very well and spent 4 years with him through freshman chrous, sophmore Troubadoors with Mr Stevens and of course the 2 years with Dr Petermen in the boys ensemble - not withstanding other inteaction through sports etc. Those were some very good times - some of the best I still recall from New Trier in the day and am saddened to hear of Jims passing and another classmate leaving us all too soon.
James Dunwoody Hardee, Jr. (Jim) passed away August 30, 2023, after a long illness. He was born in Illinois at Evanston Hospital to Marian (Petie) née Petersen of Kenilworth, IL and James Dunwoody Hardee, Sr (Jim) of Toledo, OH. Jim, Jr. grew up attending Winnetka, IL schools: Crow Island, Skokie, and New Trier East High School (NTE) where he played on the championship varsity football team and sang in the boys' ensemble. Jim then attended Deerfield Academy for a year before attending Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. Jim had an interest in political science and studied for a semester at American University in Washington, DC. Back at Bowdoin his senior paper was on Prison Guard Reform which was published locally after his graduation. He graduated with high honors in Sociology (Class of 1979). Returning to Illinois after graduating from Bowdoin College, Jim received his MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. After working at Swiss Bank, Jim became an entrepreneur. He started a pet insurance business, and later Hardee Enterprises selling security cameras and mirrors to companies nationally. In December 1996, Jim married Helen Ahern, and in December 1997, they had their daughter, Heather, his pride and joy. Heather became the third generation of the family to graduate from New Trier High School. Like Jim, Heather attended American University. After her fall semester in 2019 studying Brexit and International Government at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, Jim and Heather took a memorable trip together exploring the country and the family's Scottish heritage. Jim's hobbies included his love of music, fishing, and travel. After college, Dr. William Peterman invited him to join the Apollo Chorus of Chicago where he sang for over 20 years, especially enjoying the Christmas concerts of Handel's "Messiah". Many of his vacations included traveling to lakes and oceans where he could fish, including annual family sports fishing trips to Key West. He travelled to Japan and Costa Rica on Insight Trips with Opportunity International, later joining the Board. He was a member of the Wilmette Rotary Club, serving as president from 2015-2016 before retiring to Florida. Moving to Bradenton, FL in 2019, Jim barely got settled when COVID hit. Due to several health challenges during the pandemic, he feared going out to get the medical care that he needed. After a long illness, Jim went to be with his Lord and Redeemer on the morning of the Super Blue Moon -- a fitting send-off. Jim was predeceased by his parents and leaves behind his daughter Heather Hardee, his sisters Ruth Hardee Kovacs and Mary Hardee Tabb (Waller), nieces, a nephew, and cousins. A memorial service will be planned at a later date for close family only. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to support the James D. Hardee, Jr. '79 Scholarship Fund. This gift will provide financial aid for Bowdoin students in memory of James D. Hardee, Jr. '79. Your gift will impact the experience of a current student and celebrate James's life, and we are grateful. https://www.bowdoin.edu/alumni-families/give/tribute/hardee.html Condolences may be sent to the family at www.heathfuneralchapel.com.
Published by Chicago Tribune from Sep. 17 to Sep. 21, 2023.
Andrew Langan
Andy Langan NTE 75 here -- kind of an interloper, I know, on this NTE74 page. But I had the privilege of knowing Jim for many years starting with Washburne Junior High, including at NTE as a junior in Boys Ensemble while Jim was the senior leader of the group. As is clear from his obituary, Jim took pride in his high school activities including Boys Ensemble with Dr Peterman, as well as varsity football on the great undefeated Indians team in the fall of 1973 (so sorry he will miss the Reunion of that team ths October -- that seems cruel and unfair). Jim was an exemplary leader of the Boys Ensemble in 1973-74 and was kind to all, including the lowly juniors like me. Later in life he was likewise kind to my family when our son showed an interest in Bowdoin College, of which Jim was a proud graduate. I will miss Jim, a man of faith, and may he Rest in Peace.
Mike Armbruster
Andrew, Thank you for sharing ... Long time since the days of Dr Peterman. At last check he was 100 and going strong. I remember Jim very well and spent 4 years with him through freshman chrous, sophmore Troubadoors with Mr Stevens and of course the 2 years with Dr Petermen in the boys ensemble - not withstanding other inteaction through sports etc. Those were some very good times - some of the best I still recall from New Trier in the day and am saddened to hear of Jims passing and another classmate leaving us all too soon.
Joe Goldman
From the Chicago Tribune:
James Hardee Obituary
James Dunwoody Hardee, Jr. (Jim) passed away August 30, 2023, after a long illness. He was born in Illinois at Evanston Hospital to Marian (Petie) née Petersen of Kenilworth, IL and James Dunwoody Hardee, Sr (Jim) of Toledo, OH. Jim, Jr. grew up attending Winnetka, IL schools: Crow Island, Skokie, and New Trier East High School (NTE) where he played on the championship varsity football team and sang in the boys' ensemble. Jim then attended Deerfield Academy for a year before attending Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. Jim had an interest in political science and studied for a semester at American University in Washington, DC. Back at Bowdoin his senior paper was on Prison Guard Reform which was published locally after his graduation. He graduated with high honors in Sociology (Class of 1979). Returning to Illinois after graduating from Bowdoin College, Jim received his MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. After working at Swiss Bank, Jim became an entrepreneur. He started a pet insurance business, and later Hardee Enterprises selling security cameras and mirrors to companies nationally. In December 1996, Jim married Helen Ahern, and in December 1997, they had their daughter, Heather, his pride and joy. Heather became the third generation of the family to graduate from New Trier High School. Like Jim, Heather attended American University. After her fall semester in 2019 studying Brexit and International Government at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, Jim and Heather took a memorable trip together exploring the country and the family's Scottish heritage. Jim's hobbies included his love of music, fishing, and travel. After college, Dr. William Peterman invited him to join the Apollo Chorus of Chicago where he sang for over 20 years, especially enjoying the Christmas concerts of Handel's "Messiah". Many of his vacations included traveling to lakes and oceans where he could fish, including annual family sports fishing trips to Key West. He travelled to Japan and Costa Rica on Insight Trips with Opportunity International, later joining the Board. He was a member of the Wilmette Rotary Club, serving as president from 2015-2016 before retiring to Florida. Moving to Bradenton, FL in 2019, Jim barely got settled when COVID hit. Due to several health challenges during the pandemic, he feared going out to get the medical care that he needed. After a long illness, Jim went to be with his Lord and Redeemer on the morning of the Super Blue Moon -- a fitting send-off. Jim was predeceased by his parents and leaves behind his daughter Heather Hardee, his sisters Ruth Hardee Kovacs and Mary Hardee Tabb (Waller), nieces, a nephew, and cousins. A memorial service will be planned at a later date for close family only. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to support the James D. Hardee, Jr. '79 Scholarship Fund. This gift will provide financial aid for Bowdoin students in memory of James D. Hardee, Jr. '79. Your gift will impact the experience of a current student and celebrate James's life, and we are grateful. https://www.bowdoin.edu/alumni-families/give/tribute/hardee.html Condolences may be sent to the family at www.heathfuneralchapel.com.