My condolences to the family. I only knew Mr. Hawke briefly but I could tell he was a very sincere gentleman who contributed of himself to all those around him. His passing is a great loss, but his legacy generously giving of himself and knowledge to others will live on.

I'm very sadden to learn of the passing of Mr. Hawke, my heart felt condolences to his family. I have many fond memories of Mr. Hawke and truly have been very fortunate to have known him.

Greg Niksa, Philadelphia, PA.

Mr. Hawke was very kind to share his knowledge and writing on the history of Waynesboro with me as I was writing "The Battle of Waynesboro." His research on the Gallaher family was both fascinating and extremely helpful. Waynesboro has lost a great asset.

I first met George while we were both working for John McNair in the late 90's.  He worked part time on retainer by researching upcoming projects in the area and bringing in newspaper clippings to discuss as opportunities for new engineering work.  In his work as an Electrical Engineer for GE, he had been in charge of submitting proposals for multi-million dollar contracts.  He applied this experience to helping McNair and Associates retain a contract with Page County and JMU to perform a "brownfields" environmental study of the Big Gem furnace tract of land near the town of Shenandoah.  (It is now a historic park.)  This would turn out to be one of the largest and most successful projects we had while I was with John.

I was always struck by the disarming and humble way George interacted with people.  He was brilliant and would often discuss quantum physics, astronomy and philosophy with Mr. McNair, but he also possessed child-like humor and curiosity.  He was intelligent, funny and quite entertaining, yet self-effacing and deferential.

George loved to write!  He would spend hours writing the history of Waynesboro, Volumes I and II as well as countless hundreds of snippets he would prepare, copy and read for his friends at the Senior Center.  These usually cover subjects and stories from history, but would often broach more current and controversial issues.

George loved to explore the wonders of nature and history!  As a young man, he would go rock climbing and hike for miles along trails in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  He even claimed to find the original site of the Valley Forge when he discovered what he believed to be a foundry complete with old nails and horseshoes by rooting and digging around the area it was believed to have been.  George escorted me on my first journey through the abandoned Crozet Tunnel.  We used to hike in and around old infrastructure in the area, like factories, railways and roads.  We once hiked the abandoned section of the Howardsville Turnpike which had been washed out of commission by hurricane Camille.  We also visited a little known fatal airplane crash site on Bucks Elbow, where you can still find the crumpled remains of a 1950's airplane.  No trespassing signs seldom deterred George.

Once when talking about his longevity, George told me that he never lost his wonderment for life.  I'd have to say that statement says a lot about who George was and his attitude about life.  His reputation as "Curious George" will be what I remember most about him.  And though he spent most of his life with the belief that God, if He existed, was distant and uninterested in us; I was with George the day he reconciled with his Creator through his acceptance of Christ as his Savior.  I look forward to seeing him again someday to discuss countless more wonders of the universe.
- David P. Segars

A great man has left us, and we are saddened by this loss. The width and depth of the knowledge that George Hawke's mind contained was only exceeded by the humility and humbleness of his personality. I will miss him. 
My deepest condolences to the family for your loss.

Dear Hawke family--The Tourism Office would like to express its deepest condolences in the passing of George. He was a faithful volunteer at the Tourist Information Center, a knowledgeable historian, and an all-around interesting man to talk to. We will miss him very much!

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

George Robert Hawke

19 novembre 1921 – 6 mai 2015

Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes & Crematory

Montrez votre soutien

Envoyez Vos
Condoléances

Partager
L'avis De Décès

Obtenir les mises à jour

Prestations de Service