Eric Hawkins

Lt. Col. Eric William Hawkins (retired) passed peacefully on March 14, 2026, at the Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, surrounded by beloved family members. He was born on October 1, 1946, in Virginia to Wil and Ethel Hawkins. Major Wil Hawkins was a career Army officer, and Ethel was a nurse. The family, including Eric’s older brother Jon, moved frequently for their father’s various military postings, both domestic and overseas, including Germany, which Eric spoke of often. The family eventually settled in the Shepherd Park neighborhood of Washington, DC. Eric attended Western High School (now known as the Duke Ellington School of the Arts), where he studied Russian.

Eric attended Cornell University from 1964 to 1969 and earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in electrical engineering. He also completed the university’s ROTC program. Eric often described to his family the many cold, gray days he spent in Ithaca, NY, in the basement of the library, studying late into the night.

After graduation, Eric immediately volunteered for service in the U.S. Army and was commissioned as an officer with the 82nd Airborne Division. He began his military career as a signals officer and later transferred to military intelligence. During his twenty-one years of service, he brought back many gifts and stories for his children from postings as diverse as Turkey, Korea, Ethiopia, and the Pentagon. He also received many awards and commendations, including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Army Commendation Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster). He also earned a parachutist badge and a Ranger tab. In April 1990, after serving with the 742d Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort George Meade, MD, Eric retired as a lieutenant colonel.

In 1980, Eric moved across the street from Rena Goldman in Columbia, MD. Rena had two children, Marna and Adam. As single parents who dearly loved their children, the two bonded quickly and began dating, beginning a partnership that lasted till his passing. The couple married in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in 1990, where Rena was then living. Following their marriage, the couple relocated to Olney, MD.

After his retirement from the Army, Eric continued to work as a defense and intelligence contractor, utilizing his military intelligence and engineering skills. He finally retired in 2024.

Eric was fortunate to have four children, two from each marriage, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He traveled frequently to North Carolina to visit his son Chris and his three grandchildren, Miranda, Brandon, and Tyler, relishing every moment they had together.

He attended Adam’s band performances across the eastern seaboard, beamed with pride at the graduations of his children and grandchildren, and loved attending all the birthdays, sporting events, and celebrations. He was an avid watcher of the Military History Channel (later the American Heroes Channel) and devoured books, shows, and movies about military history. Eric often spoke of the profound experience of being able to visit the Normandy beaches and memorials with his family in 2022.

Eric loved cars, planes, boats, and models. At one point, he owned a sailboat and enjoyed sailing with his children on the Chesapeake Bay. He loved flying and often utilized his pilot’s license to fly with his family.

Eric enjoyed traveling with Rena, dancing, spending time at their second home in Florida, going to the beach, cheering on his team, the Washington Redskins, hosting barbeques, and plying everyone with alcoholic beverages to encourage a festive atmosphere.

In the last few years of his life, Eric dedicated himself to learning about his wife’s religion, Judaism, and began the conversion process, having always felt a deep connection to the faith, Israel, and the Israeli Defense Forces.

Eric taught us that love, devotion, gentle strength, and service to country and family transcend political differences. Eric will be remembered for these gifts, as well as his smiling blue eyes, his incredible head of hair, his laugh, his dad jokes, his strong hugs, and his support and kindness.

Eric is survived by his wife and life partner, Rena Goldman. In addition to Eric’s four children, Alex Hawkins (of blessed memory), Marna Schoen (Zachary Borovay), Chris Hawkins, and Adam (Kelly) Schoen, Eric was blessed with six grandchildren, Miranda Hawkins (Abraham Casillas), Brandon (Danielle) Hawkins, Tyler (Chrissie) Hawkins, Maxwell Schoen, Leo Borovay and Solly Borovay, as well as two great-grandchildren, Delilah Casillas and Eris Hawkins.