Stanley Hardman; Founded Aircraft Seat Manufacturer

Stanley Joseph Hardman, former president of Hardman Air Specialties Inc., which manufactures seats for commercial airlines and made the “moon boots” for Apollo astronauts, has died. He was 70.

Hardman died in his sleep at his Los Angeles home June 3, his son, Stan Allan Hardman, current president of the Inglewood-based company, said Tuesday.

Born in Lancashire, England, the senior Hardman immigrated to Santa Monica with his family as a youth. He was educated at Santa Monica High School and USC, and served as a Ranger during World War II, earning a Bronze Star.

After the war, Hardman and his father, Frank, founded Hardman Tool & Engineering, which evolved into Hardman Aerospace and ultimately Hardman Air Specialties. In addition to seating systems for commercial airlines and harnesses and safety equipment for early astronauts, the company has made seats for planes used by four Presidents as Air Force One. Hardman retired as head of the company in 1987.

In addition to his son, Hardman is survived by his mother, Helen, his daughter, Alix Johnson, and seven grandchildren.

Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. at Gates, Kingsley & Gates, Santa Monica.