| Gene Harder was born March 20th, 1942 in Twin Falls, Idaho. He graduated from Jerome, Idaho High School. He then attended the University of Idaho where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a major in accounting. While at the University of Idaho he was a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, National President of Intercollegiate Knights (sophomore men’s honorary), Vice President of the Junior Class, a member of Blue Key (national senior men’s honorary), a member of Alpha Kappa Psi and was selected as one of the University’s Top Ten Graduating Seniors in the Class of 1964. | 
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| After graduating from the University of Idaho, Gene worked for the international accounting firm of Price Waterhouse in Seattle, WA. On July 16th, 1966 he married Bette Vickerman of Spokane. In 1967, they moved to Boise, Idaho where he was named to the position of Budget Analyst for the State of Idaho under the administration of Governor Don Samuelson. After serving in that position, he accepted a job as controller of Clare Pendar, a division of General Instrument Company. |
| In 1973 he went to work for the accounting firm of McFarland and Alton, now Moss Adams, where he served as a Senior Partner for many years until his retirement in December of 2000. After retirement, Gene continued to work as a Certified Public Accountant and Advisor in the areas of Strategic and Succession Planning. | 
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| He was an active participant in the Spokane community and was a Lifetime Member of the Inland Pacific Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. He was a member of their Beam Club, served as their Finance Chair and was selected to receive the Bo Engstrom Award for Excellence through enthusiasm, initiative, integrity and outstanding service. He began the February Clay Shoot tradition the Chapter still enjoys. ABC was a very important part of Gene’s life. He formed many long-lasting and valued friendships through the organization.
He served as a Lilac Director for the Spokane Lilac Festival and was proud of the fact that his son designed the 2004 Lilac pin. He was a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church building committee and instrumental in the development of the Spokane Youth Sporting Clays Foundation.
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| Gene was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Washington and Idaho Society of Certified Public Accountants. He mentored many young and aspiring accountants, including three in his own family. | 
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| Gene Harder worked hard and played hard. He enjoyed life, his many friends, world travel, cruises and good wine. Some have said he was the funniest man they ever knew. His favorite saying was “If you can laugh at yourself, you’ll never cease to be amused.” He was witty and sharp and had a great sense of humor. He would often take the opposite viewpoint for the sake of discussion. On the back of some of his business cards was the saying “In God we trust, all others we audit.” He was a teacher and often gave people business advice on his own time. Many people have reported they would not be in business without his help. |
After a short battle with cancer, Gene passed away on July 28th, 2006. He is survived by his wife of 40 years and his son Chad Harder of Portland, Oregon.
His fellow ABC members unanimously voted to create the Gene Harder Memorial Scholarship as a way of honoring his memory. This scholarship awards $2,500 to one deserving student each year that is working to improve him/herself and community. The IPC-ABC members donated over $24,000 dollars to fund this scholarship.
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