John V.E. Hardy ’38 *39

John died Aug. 28, 2021, of the coronavirus and old age in Vero Beach, Fla. Born Oct. 26, 1915, he was 105 and in reasonable health until the coronavirus lockdowns and ensuing isolation took their fatal toll. 

John grew up in Upper Montclair, N.J., and attended Woodberry Forest School in Virginia. At Princeton he majored in chemical engineering, joined Elm Club, and roomed in Brown Hall. After earning an undergraduate degree with honors, John and William Coors ’38 *39 roomed together in Princeton as they pursued master’s degrees in chemical engineering.

John joined the DuPont Co. the following year and had a sterling career during what he called the golden age of chemical engineering, leading the research, development, and manufacture of DuPont’s largest chemical business and subsequently leading the design and startup of DuPont’s first plant in eastern Asia. After retiring, he and his wife, Margaret “Muggie” (who died in 2019), had a fantasy retirement of golf, tennis, skiing, archeological digs, and a trek through the Himalayas.

John remained close to many of his classmates, many of whom joined John and Muggie in their travels. Theirs were bedrock friendships that carried on throughout his and Muggie’s lifetime. 

John is survived by three children and four grandchildren.