Ralph B. Harden

Ralph B. Harden, 90, of Fort Collins, died May 20, 2011 at his home. Mr. Harden was born November 19, 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska to Edmond and Elizabeth Cummings Harden. Ralph was a flight instructor for the Army Air Corps in Chickasha, Oklahoma. He married Mary Jo Tapp on May 21, 1943. He was a pilot for United Airlines and a test pilot for the Army Reserves. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees, cum laude, from the University of Denver in 1947 and 1948, respectively, Ralph moved from Denver to Fort Collins. In 1948 he started his private practice in the area of civil litigation and aviation law. In addition to having his private law firm, Ralph was the Larimer County Attorney for more than 35 years, attorney for Poudre School District, and Rocky Mountain Bank. As president of the First National Tower Corporation, he was instrumental in the construction of the tallest building in Fort Collins, The First National Tower. He was listed in Martindale-Hubble as an "A" rated lawyer. He practiced before all Colorado courts, both federal and state, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Tax Court, and the United States Supreme Court. By special admission he also practiced before state courts in Wyoming and Texas. Many of his cases set precedents in the law. Ralph belonged to the American Board of Trial Advocates, American College of Trial Lawyers, Fort Collins City Charter Convention, charter member of Ethics Committee for the United States District Court of Colorado, and he served on the Federal Uniform Laws Commission in Washington, D.C. He worked on committees during the establishment of the Fort Collins Country Club. Ralph enjoyed service clubs such as Rotary and Toastmasters. He was initiated into the Elks Lodge #804 on September 22, 1949 where he was the 59th Exalted Ruler from 1960 to1961. His 63-year Life Membership gave him the honor of having the longest membership in that lodge. Ralph married Bonnie J. Hahn Wise on June 13, 1977 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie; daughter, Beth McGregor; son, Ed Harden both of Fort Collins; stepson, Mike Wise of Emporia, Kansas; stepdaughter, Theresa Reynolds of Lexington, South Carolina, Angela Ferguson of Greeley; fifteen grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Preceding Ralph in death are his parents, two brothers and a sister, former wife Mary Jo Tapp Harden, and his stepson, Tony Wise. A Memorial Service will be held at Timberline Church, South Auditorium, 2908 S. Timberline Rd. on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. Pastor John Engle will officiate the service. Elks service will be conducted by the #804 members. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Pathways Hospice in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Ft. Collins, CO 80524.