Dr. Harding C. Noblitt

Harding Coolidge Noblitt, 86, Moorhead, MN, died Tuesday, September 18, 2007, at Golden Living Center, Moorhead, MN.

Harding was born in McDowell County, NC, on October 31, 1920, to Walter Tate and Nellie Mabel (Horton) Noblitt. He graduated from high school in McDowell County and from Berea College, Berea, KY. He later earned a master's and a doctorate degree from the University of Chicago. On July 4, 1943, Harding married Louise Lester. She died in 1988.

After serving with the Third Army in Europe, 1943-1946, Harding joined the Concordia College, Moorhead, faculty in 1948, and taught political science and history courses there for over 40 years.
Professor Harding was loved by his family and by many of his colleagues, students, friends and caregivers. He had a very jovial demeanor, a smile that was always there, an unforgettable chuckle, an energetic personality, and a tremendous curiosity for history and politics. His memory was amazing and conversation with him was always stimulating as his recollection of historical details was incredible. As an example, he remembered something about every presidential election since 1924. Harding was a voracious reader and spent many hours pursuing books and magazines both before and after his retirement from Concordia. He had a special interest in current events and the Civil War.
From the time Harding graduated from high school, he knew he wanted to teach political science. He once said, "I'm a ham. Going into teaching gave me a built-in audience." Many of his former students went on to become teachers, attorneys, judges administrators and elected officials.
In 1958, Harding was named a delegate to the DFL State Convention. Four years later, he ran for the U.S. Congress. Although he lost the general election, his life continued to center around politics. In his office at Concordia, he prominently displayed photographs showing him shaking hands with former President John F. Kennedy and with Vice President Lyndon Johnson outside the Oval Office in Washington, D.C. When Harding retired in 1990, then Governor Rudy Perpich proclaimed April 29, "Harding Noblitt Day."
Harding will be especially remembered for his kindness, gentle manner, humility, teaching style, mentoring of many students, his tremendous capacity for remembering historical details and his wit and wisdom. Dr. Paul Dovre, former Concordia College President, stated in the preface of a book about Harding entitled "Wit and Wisdom" and written by Bert Rude, "Harding Noblitt was a highly respected faculty leader. He served on virtually every major committee, special commission and task force. In all of Harding's campus transactions, he combined wit and wisdom in a pleasing and effective manner. Professor Harding Noblitt's legacy lives on in his stories, in the lives of graduates and in the continuing history of this college which he served with such distinctiveness and faithfulness." All who knew Harding are richer for his wit and wisdom.
Harding is survived by his son, Walter, Moorhead; his special friend, May Bredeson, Moorhead; his colleagues from Concordia; hundreds of former students; his "coffee group;" and many other friends.
Visitation is from 5 - 7 PM, Sunday, September 23, 2007, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.
Funeral will be at 1 PM, Monday, September 24, 2007, at First Presbyterian Church, Fargo. Rev. Mary Holtey will officiate.
Burial, with military honors, will be in Moorhead Memorial Gardens.