Russell Hardy

Russell “Rusty” Hardy passed away unexpectedly on June 11, 2025, while hiking Pikes Peak in Colorado, a summit he had long dreamed of reaching. With the sky above him and the trail beneath his feet, he left this world doing what he loved most: exploring the wild with wonder in his eyes and freedom in his soul. Born on October 21, 1969, in Rochester, New Hampshire, to Russell Hardy and Hazel (Goodwin) Poulin, Rusty lived life as an adventurer from the very beginning. As a boy, he was active in scouting where he developed a deep love for the outdoors, self-reliance, and adventure. He spent much of his youth living off the land, raising farm animals, and caring for horses, a lifelong passion that shaped his deep connection to animals and nature. These early experiences formed the foundation of his fearless spirit and endless curiosity. Rusty had a restless soul and a boundless love for the open road. Over the years, he fulfilled one of his greatest dreams by traveling to all 50 US states, collecting...