• Contractingbusiness Com Images Archive Randoph Bard
    Contractingbusiness Com Images Archive Randoph Bard
    Contractingbusiness Com Images Archive Randoph Bard
    Contractingbusiness Com Images Archive Randoph Bard
    Contractingbusiness Com Images Archive Randoph Bard

    In Memory of RANDOLPH O. BARD- Past Chairman of Bard Mfg.

    March 1, 2003
    Randolph O. Bard, age 92 of Bryan, Ohio, passed away Wednesday morning, February 5, 2003 at his residence. A lifelong resident of Bryan, Mr. Bard was

    Randolph O. Bard, age 92 of Bryan, Ohio, passed away Wednesday morning, February 5, 2003 at his residence. A lifelong resident of Bryan, Mr. Bard was past Chairman of Bard Manufacturing Company, Bryan. Born in Bryan, Ohio on March 2, 1910, he was the son of Otha May (Young) and Dale Randolph Bard, both of whom preceded him in death. On June 16, 1932 he married Naomi B. Moore and she survives. Also surviving Mr. Bard are two sons, Richard (Mary) Bard of Manitou Beach, Michigan and James (Joan) Bard of Bryan; one daughter, Kathryn Martinez of Bryan; one brother, Lawrence Bard of Bryan; seven grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. Randolph Bard began working in his father’s company during his high school years. The new company specialized in performing heating and plumbing contract work. Randolph joined the company full-time in 1926 after graduating from high school. It was not long after Randolph’s entry into the business that they patented their first oil furnace and Bard Manufacturing had found its niche in the manufacturing world. Overcoming adversity at a young age, Randolph’s largest hurdle came in the winter of 1944. Within days of his father suffering a debilitating stroke, a fire completely destroyed the Bard plant. Founder Dale Bard died, never knowing that his company had burned to the ground, and it was up to his son, Randolph, to rebuild the company and become president at the age of 34. The company grew steadily over the next few decades due to its reputation for quality residential products and its introduction to the commercial and modular building market. In 1963, Bard manufactured its first “Wall-Mount” air conditioner and Randolph’s commitment to be the “Wall-Mount” of choice became the driving force for the company. In 1981, Randolph retired after 54 years with the company, but his vision is still felt. In fact, Randolph’s goal of “maintaining Bard’s dominant position as a supplier of heating and cooling products to the modular market” has been formalized in the Bard Manufacturing Company mission statement. Their commitment to the HVAC industry can be seen in Bard’s diverse product offering and its network of quality distributors. Randolph was recently inducted into the Modular Building Institute Hall of Fame for his lifetime contribution to the modular industry.