He graduated in 1947 from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geological Engineering.

He was released to inactive duty in 1945 and returned to Oklahoma to complete his college education.

With the onset of the Korean War, Hardy was called to active duty in August 1950 with Company B, 14th Infantry Battalion, USMCR in Galveston, Texas.

He served in Marine reserve units in Wichita Falls, Texas; Houston, Texas; London, England; Camp Pendleton, California; Quantico, Virginia; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and in the Mediterranean with the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, attached to the United States Navy's 6th fleet.

Upon graduation, he went to work for Humble Oil (later Exxon) on an offshore seismic crew.

His work encompasses a vast breadth of geoscience, administrative, and management areas, including seismic interpretation, seismic data processing, geophysical research, well-logging, computing coordination, emergency preparedness, government relations, and chief scientist.