Ric Harden, an Erie tennis instructor for nearly 40 years, dies at age 75
Richard “Ric” Harden, a familiar face within Erie’s tennis scene for nearly 40 years, has died at age 75.
Harden died July 31 at Manchester Commons Retirement Community in Fairview Township. The Laurel, Mississippi, native was a youth when he moved with his family to Erie.
Andy Findlay, a tennis instructor who worked with Harden at Westwood, was concise and direct about what Harden meant to him, and others, on and off the courts.
“Ric was an ambassador for Erie tennis,” Findlay said. “He’ll be sorely missed by our tennis community.”
Making tennis his racket
Harden, a 1966 Strong Vincent graduate, took up the sport in his mid-20s. The former toolmaker for Swanson Erie Corp. loved it enough that he turned into a second career.
Harden was a U.S. Tennis Association-certified instructor most of his adult life. Many of his lessons were conducted at Westwood, where he taught young and old alike better ways to serve and volley.
So influential was Harden at Westwood his named has adorned one of its seven courts since May 19, 2022. The Erie Times-News covered that ceremony, which was arranged by club owner Tom Pakulski.
Also on hand that day to surprise Harden were dozens of family members, friends and former students.
Harden briefly spoke in his typical hushed tone.
“Thank you. You’ve made my day a good one,” he said. “The one (person) I’d like to share this with the most is Tom, because sometimes I think we treat him like he’s just another guy.”
Court recognition: Longtime tennis instructor Ric Harden honored at Westwood Racquet Club
Harden was the fourth person who had a Westwood court named for him. Robert Allen Davis was the first in 1983, followed by Dr. Peter Scibetta in 2016 and Barbara Esper in 2021.
“He was highly deserving of having that court named after him,” Findlay said.
Pakulski, Westwood’s owner since 2011, couldn’t be reached for comment.
Harden also served as a pastor for Cherry Street Church of God. The church was established by his parents, the late William and Mary Curry Harden.
Services scheduled Wednesday
Harden was preceded in death by his wife of 32 years, Irell-Armwood-Harden, seven brothers and five sisters.
Survivors include three sons, Aric Lindsey of McDonough, Georgia, and Patrick Harden and Caprice Hollis of Erie; two daughters, Camille Barnes of Philadelphia and Salina Brazela of Washington, D.C.; 16 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Calling hours at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services, Downtown, will take place Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon. A service will follow, which also will be livestreamed at facebook.com/BurtonQuinn Scott.
Burial will be at Erie Cemetery, 2116 Chestnut St.
Memorials can be made to Harden’s family in care of the funeral home, 602 W. 10th St., Erie, PA 16502.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @ETNcopper.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Longtime Erie tennis instructor Ric Harden dies at age 75
