Hardy Hagen Tate

               Hardy Hagen Tate, 73, died peacefully on November 1, 2024. Hardy was born in Sheridan, WY alongside his best friend and twin brother Dick, to Robert and Aileen Hagen Tate. The first four years of his life were spent roaming wild and free on his family’s homestead in Otter Creek, MT. In 1955, the family moved to WYMONT Ranch, west of Sheridan. Hardy loved growing up on the ranch where he milked cows, stacked hay, built fence, and appreciated the intricacies of the Wyoming landscape. He had a remarkable ability to mimick the bellow of a cow, to the amusement of all. He most especially loved his life-long commitment to caring for a special pond on WYMONT. His greatest joy came from taking his daughter, Martha, and her neighborhood friends to swim and canoe at the pond in the summer.

Hardy married Patsy Inserra in 1982 in Sheridan, and they were proud parents of their daughter, Martha. Hardy was a loving father who supported Martha in all her dreams. Growing up, Martha was involved in children’s theater and high school plays for which Hardy built top-quality sets. The children always got a kick out of working with an adult who swore so much.

                He was a proud member of the SHS Class of ’69 and was greatly influenced by his high school English teacher, Ray Jergesen, who taught him to think critically at a tense time during the Vietnam War era. Hardy graduated from the University of Wyoming with a BS in Zoology. His freshman year, he witnessed the Black 14 incident which had a profound impact on his passion for social justice. Hardy graduated from the UW College of Law in 1978 after which he primarily practiced criminal defense law in Sheridan for the next 30 years. Always fighting for the underdog, Hardy was known for his zealous advocacy of his clients and tried over 80 jury trials. He excelled at attaining reduced sentencing for his clients, finding inspiration from Shakespeare’s quote in The Merchant of Venice: “And earthly power doth then show like God’s, When mercy seasons justice.” He believed deeply in our justice system and in the good parts he knew existed in all people.

Hardy served in the State Legislature from 1984-1988. He was elected as a Republican, but often recalled that his time in the legislature taught him that he was a Democrat— he believed in workers’ rights, social programs, and thought the Democrats threw better parties. Hardy also served on the Sheridan School Board, the State Wildlife Trust Fund, and was a board member of the Sheridan Community Land Trust.

                Hardy was proud of his Norwegian heritage and traveled to Norway to visit his cousins on multiple occasions. He was particularly fascinated by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch’s painting of “The Scream” which Hardy often re-drew on paintings and cards. He enjoyed politics, art, history, carpentry, travel and sports (a die-hard fan of the Pokes and San Francisco Giants).

                Despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in his later years, Hardy kept active and upbeat. He walked to the YMCA nearly every day where the community surrounded him with love and support. He never lost his appreciation for the beauty of nature, always pointing out the sky, a plant, a cow.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Aileen Tate, his brothers, Tom and Dick Tate. Survivors include his wife, Patsy Tate, daughter Martha Tate-Jenkins (Mark Jenkins), sister, Mimi Tate (Jim Smith), sisters-in-law Alex Oakes and Susie Tate, and his Inserra family in-laws.

There will be a gathering of friends on Wednesday, November 6 at the HUB from 3-5pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the HUB or Daybreak, 211 Smith St., Sheridan, WY 82801, the YMCA, 417 N. Jefferson St., Sheridan, WY 82801or Sheridan Community Land Trust.

Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com                                                                   Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.