Dear SSR Friends and Colleagues:
With deep sadness, we are very sorry to inform you that Dr. Mathew Hardy died on Sunday evening after running the New York Marathon. Dr. Terry Brown wrote the message below that captures our feelings as well.
- Barry R. Zirkin and Sally D. Perreault
Dr. Hardy was a 20-year member of SSR, a current member of the Board of Reviewing Editors of Biology of Reproduction and the Program Committee, and a past member of the Bylaws Committee, the Editorial Board, and the Program Committee for several earlier SSR annual meetings.
Matt was a dedicated runner and fitness enthusiast for whom the NY Marathon represented an annual culminating event. We extend our deepest sympathies, support and prayers to his wife, Dianne, his family, friends and colleagues who share this tragic loss.
Many of us knew and respected Matt as a scientific colleague for his many contributions to research, his creativity and his dedication to science. Matt was also a genuine friend who embodied the very best of humane qualities as a person, colleague and mentor. Matt made his mark on the scientific community in the areas of andrology, endocrinology and reproductive biology as being an active member of SSR, the American Society of Andrology, and the Endocrine Society.
It is difficult to capture the many ways in which Matt impacted the scientific community and those around him. For those of us who had the good fortune to know and work personally with Matt, we have lost a great friend,a wonderful colleague and an excellent role model for the humanity of science. May he rest in peace knowing that his memory will not be forgotten.
The New York Times obituary is available online at:
Notes of condolence or remembrances of Matt may be directed to his wife, Dianne:
Dianne Hardy
c/o Joyce Ng
Population Council
One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza
New York, New York 10017 USA
or
email: dhardy@popcouncil.org
A memorial service for Matt Hardy will be held on Saturday, 10 November, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the John Krtil Funeral Home, 1297 First Avenue (at 70th Street), New York NY 10021; 212-744-3084.
There will not be a formal service but people are welcome to come by the funeral home during this two-hour period to remember Matt and celebrate his life, and pay their respects to Dianne and their families.
In lieu of flowers in memory of Matt, Dianne has requested that donations be made to two organizations of which Matt was a member and whose work meant very much to him:
An account is set up in Matt's name: Account No. 1768671. Memorial donations cannot be made online. The tollfree phone number is the easiest way to donate in Matt's memory, although this can also be done through the mail.
An account has been set up in Matt's name: Account No. 29515. Memorial donations may be made by phone, online, or by mail.
It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Population Council Senior Scientist Matt Hardy died yesterday, Sunday, November 4th, at home after running the New York City marathon. My deepest condolences go to his wife Dianne, also a scientist at the Center for Biomedical Research, and his family and friends.
Matt joined the Council in 1991. His research focused on endocrinology of the male reproductive system. Matt was an expert on Leydig cell function, the cells in the testis that make testosterone. His studies included the effects of stress on testosterone secretion, the impact of environmental toxicants on male fertility, and the identification of new targets for male contraception.
Matt was well known and widely respected for his research in endocrinology, which he conducted with enthusiasm and creativity. He was also a wonderfully supportive mentor, inspiring other researchers, including many Council fellows and, currently, a Bixby fellow.
Matt published over 65 papers in peer-reviewed journals, and won numerous awards for his research. The quality and significance of his work was confirmed by the grants he obtained from the US National Institutes of Health. In the current very competitive funding environment, Matt’s NIH-supported projects included studies of the action of an endocrine disruptor on the Leydig cell, research on the aging and function of stem Leydig cells, and identification, isolation and development of stem Leydig cells. Earlier this year, Matt was honored by the American Society of Andrology with the society’s Distinguished Service Award. He was also a spokesperson for better male contraception, for example, recently appearing on the CBS television network to discuss the topic.
Matt served on the editorial boards of several journals, including the Journal of Andrology, of which he was co-editor-in-chief, the Archives of Andrology, and the Biology of Reproduction. He was an adjunct faculty member at The Rockefeller University, the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and Sichuan University, China.
Matt was devoted to the Council and was an unending supporter of our mission. In 2005-2006, he served on the Council’s strategic planning committee, and made many valuable contributions to the discussion of the Council’s future. He was a passionate supporter of basic research, and its contribution to the Council’s mission. I valued my conversations with Matt, and respected his judgment. I will remember Matt’s energy, commitment, and good will, and will miss him and his good advice very much.
The Population Council has lost a productive scientist, a supportive colleague, and a dear friend. Our deepest sympathy goes to Matt’s family, especially his wife Dianne, and his colleagues and friends.
I will send information about services in Matt’s honor as soon as the details are available.
Peter J. Donaldson
Population Council
One Dag Hammarskjold Plaza
New York, NY 10017
Tel: 212-339-0686
Population Council news release
Photo of Matt
Lab photo of Matt (on left)
Photo currently on main Population Council page
New York Times article, 11-07-2007