Ret. Lt. Col. USAF Robert Charles Hawthorne

Born to the late Lucille Saunders Weston Hawthorne of Mecklenburg County and Waverly Herbert Hawthorne Sr. of Lunenburg County, Virginia, Bob attended Thomas Jefferson High School and graduated from the Virginia Military Institute. He remained deeply connected to his alma mater, serving as Director of the Thomas Jefferson Cadet Corps Band and later as Coordinator for the Thomas Jefferson Alumni Cadet Corps.

Bob was a devoted patriot who lived by the principles of God, Country, and Family. He believed in serving others with humility, respecting the office of the President regardless of political affiliation, and honoring the nation he loved through faithful service and unwavering integrity.

During his distinguished Air Force career, he served as Chief of Protocol for Air Force Systems Command under General Bernard P. Randolph (4 Star), General Ronald W. Yates (4 Star), and Brigadier General Gordon A. Ginsburg (1 Star). He also served as Chief Inaugural Liaison for President William Jefferson Clinton. Among his many assignments, he commanded Grand Turk Air Station and supported operations during the historic Viktor Belenko MiG-25 Foxbat defection from the Soviet Union to Japan. Following his military retirement, he continued serving the general aviation community for more than three decades, providing leadership and expertise throughout the general aviation industry while supporting government officials, elected leaders, and corporate aviation clients.

Above all, Bob was a devoted husband, loving father, and exceptional “Grandaddy.” Guided by his faith, he never met a stranger, always looked for the good in others, and believed in second chances. We were blessed to have “Our Bob” and grateful for the years we shared with him.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Cathy Whitlow Hawthorne; daughter Heather Hawthorne Brougham (Dean); son Jeffrey Hawthorne (Suzanne); and grandchildren Jenna Scott (Ben), Laina and Grant Hawthorne, and London and Grayson Brougham.

His legacy of faith, service, kindness, and devotion to family will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

A celebration of life service is scheduled for 11:00am, Friday, July 3rd, 2026. at Hollywood Cemetery – The Glade (Cremation & Scattering Garden), with Military Honor Guard.

Donations in his honor can be made to the “Tunnels to Towers Foundation”. https://t2t.org/donate/