William R. Hardgrove, 78, of Laguna Hills, California succumbed to a lengthy illness on Thursday 23 April 2015. His wife Susan Hardgrove, son Daniel Hardgrove, granddaughter Chiara, and three brothers, John, Ronald and James Hardgrove, survive him. His parents and his brother Gerald preceded him in death.

Rick was born on August 3, 1936 in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Albert J and Ruth Hardgrove. Rick graduated from Schlarman High School, Danville, Illinois in 1954, and Marquardt University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1958. Following graduation he served as a Lt. in the U.S. Marine Corps infantry for three years followed by five years in the U.S. Marine Corps standby reserves. Rick later earned a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from USC and a MBA degree from California State University. Rick enjoyed going to school while working and had attended eleven colleges while earning over 342 units of college credits.

After leaving active duty service in the Marine Corps in 1961, Rick was employed in the California Aerospace industry at Lockheed, Marquardt and Litton with the last twenty years at TRW before retirement. His specialty at TRW was in the area of spacecraft heat transfer where he was involved in the design, development and testing of several TRW spacecraft.

After retirement, Rick enjoyed 20 years of acting in over 55 plays and musicals performed at local theater venues in Orange Co., as well as appearances in television commercials.

A celebration event in honor of Rick will be held with his family and friends at Dan's house on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 1 pm.

In honor of Rick's memory in lieu of flowers any donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in his name.

American Cancer Society

P.O. Box 22718

Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718

1-800-227-2345

https://donate.cancer.org/index