Richard Wilson Hawkins, 70, of DeWitt passed October 23, 2018. Richard was born in Swickley, Pennsylvania on February 26, 1948.
How do we provide a ledger of someone’s life? We don’t. We live in the memories. This is a snapshot. There is always room for mystery.
Richard was an educator. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a teaching degree and taught 37 years at DeWitt Public Schools. He believed that one of his greatest callings was working with the DeWitt Education Association as Union President and serving on the MEA Board of Directors.
He was an avid bicyclist, from yearly inn-to-inn bicycle trips in Vermont, to his bicycle trip of a lifetime which took him from Astoria, Oregon to Bar Harbor Maine one summer. Raising money for multiple sclerosis pushed him to complete the physical challenge of running two Detroit Free Press Marathons and biking many MS 150 bicycle rides.
Playing the trumpet in high school to marching with the University of Michigan Marching Band as one of the “Marching Men of Michigan,” led to his love for U of M football and 30 plus years of season tickets and watching the Michigan drumline. Go Blue!
He believed in the democratic process, and celebrated the election of Barak Obama as one of the greatest triumphs for our country. He abhorred racism. He believed in civic responsibility. He knew we could do better as a nation.
Richard never gave up on the belief that he could beat CNS lymphoma. He had unwavering faith in his University of Michigan medical team, and faced every setback with dignity and grace and optimism.
Richard is survived by his wife Nancy, his brothers Robert of Englewood, FL and Gary (Connie) of Boulder, CO; nieces Karmean Bellhorn, Lisa (Raghavendar) Komula, Lisa Hawkins Johnson and nephews Kyle Hawkins and Dylan Putnam Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A life well lived. A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, October 30, at 3:00 pm at Christ United, 100 West Webb Road, DeWitt, MI, 48820.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grdewitt.com for the Hawkins family.
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Sierra Club Michigan Chapter109 East Grand River Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48906
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