Another RA obit - why I take RA seriously | Arthritis Information

http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20090418/NEWS01/904180315

Renowned doctor remembered

BY NUR KAUSAR • nkausar@thespectrum.com • April 18, 2009

CEDAR CITY - A man responsible for several advances in fighting kidney disease, as well as research and training in nephrology during the 1960s, died April 11 from complications of rheumatoid arthritis in Cedar City.

Dr. Harold Hardenburg, Jr., a New Jersey native, designed technological advances for kidney dialysis machines, established a dialysis unit at a community medical center in Summit, N.J. and was the attending nephrologist for the first kidney transplant in New Jersey in 1968.

As a retired physician in Utah, however, Hardenburg spent less time in hospitals and more time swimming with friends, said Judith Hardenburg, his wife of 46 years.

"He swam regularly at the community pool," Judith said of her husband, who remained active despite his ailing health.

Hardenburg's health, and desire to live in better weather, brought the couple to Cedar City, as Judith recalled a short trip into town 11 years ago that decided the rest of his life.

"We drove into town, saw snow on the ground, then turned around at the red rocks and thought, 'Oh, this works,'" she said of their decision, made after checking out several other retirement options around the country.

The couple stayed busy since then, with Judith volunteering at the local hospital until her husband became too ill, and Hardenburg making friends with Southern Utah University professors, attending festivals and taking in the scenery.

Judith said while here, her husband was able to trace back his ancestry 15 generations, with 11 in the U.S. and the rest from Holland, where his family originates.

Though he no longer practiced or had any connection with the local dialysis center, Hardenburg served on staffs for New Jersey hospitals and wrote papers for international and national nephrology conventions until his retirement in 1998.

Swindlehurst Funeral Home in Cedar City is handling arrangements and a memorial service will be held at Princeton University, of which Hardenburg is an alumnus, on May 29.

The family requests that monetary donations be given in lieu of flowers to the National Kidney Foundation, www.kidney.org, or Princeton University's general scholarship fund, www.giving.princeton.edu.

justsaynoemore2009-04-18 20:25:58He's been luckier than most having his wonderful 76 year long life.. and 11 of them in joyous retirement.

More than many can say....

I can only hope to be as lucky as this man... he was blessed with a full and rich life.

I see his glass was half full.......

not half empty

We have to manage our life from what we know and realize that we all have a term limit here on earth. Cathy, I believe we all take RA seriously and I am glad you do too. It is why we research and question and post and look for support and answers.

Beautifully put Babs and Mab. I am gloriously happy and grateful for each and every moment!
So I guess those complications from RA that he died of must have come very quickly, and he was in remission for the duration of his disease. Didn't have to take drugs, no damage, a perfect RA disease, and a perfect life. He WAS lucky to die of complications from RA. I am sure it was fast and quick, like a killing heart attack - here one moment, gone the next, just one and only huge flare that killed him instantly. Amazing how you can analyze and determine how bad somebody's RA is from an online obituary. We have more medical doctors in the house that I realized. He appeared to stay active up till he died according to the obit. I'd like to think he died quickly of a heart attack. If I had a coronary that killed me, it would be contributed to complications of RA because I have cardiac issues due to RA. Dr. Hardenburg seems to have had a fullfilling life and that's all any of us can hope for. Lindy[QUOTE=LinB]He appeared to stay active up till he died according to the obit. I'd like to think he died quickly of a heart attack. If I had a coronary that killed me, it would be contributed to complications of RA because I have cardiac issues due to RA. Dr. Hardenburg seems to have had a fullfilling life and that's all any of us can hope for. Lindy[/QUOTE]

That's how my father died. He came in from doing some light yard work, sat down on the sofa and had a massive heart attack. He had RA and Myasthenia Gravis. He was only 60 years old...........

[QUOTE=justsaynoemore]So I guess those complications from RA that he died of must have come very quickly, and he was in remission for the duration of his disease. Didn't have to take drugs, no damage, a perfect RA disease, and a perfect life. He WAS lucky to die of complications from RA. I am sure it was fast and quick, like a killing heart attack - here one moment, gone the next, just one and only huge flare that killed him instantly. Amazing how you can analyze and determine how bad somebody's RA is from an online obituary. We have more medical doctors in the house that I realized. [/QUOTE]

so surly Cathy.

but yes.. I googled him and read more than just what you posted... and he seemed to have had quite a good full life and worked until he was in his late 60s'....... enjoying his work and his other activities according to the quotes..

not everything is bitter and sour in life with RA