Robert "Bob" E. Hawkins

Robert "Bob" Edward Hawkins passed away on Thursday, February 11, 2021 from complications of Covid-19. Bob was born September 11, 1925 in Fort Smith, the youngest of five children of Sumpter Moore and Beulah Wright Hawkins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Edith Sivley Hawkins; and his four siblings, Dr. Wright Hawkins, Marion Hawkins Doss, Franklin Hawkins, and Betty Anne Hawkins Creaghe.

Bob graduated from Fort Smith High School in 1942 at the age of 16. He attended the University of Arkansas where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1945, where he was a member of Tau Omega National Honorary Aeronautical Engineering Fraternity, in the Navy V-12 program, and a cheerleader. He earned his Master's Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1946.

In 1947, Bob and his brother, Franklin, established Hawkins Company, a York distributor and contractor of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment which remained in business for 64 years. In 1947, there were only 3 air conditioned buildings in downtown Fort Smith and one centrally air conditioned residence. Hawkins Company air conditioned Sparks Hospital, St. Edward Hospital, St. Edward Mercy Medical Center, First Federal Savings and Loan (now the Area Agency on Aging building), Baldor, Central Mall, Wal-Mart stores and corporate facilities including the original Walton 5 and 10 on the Bentonville square, clinics, churches, schools, university buildings, court houses, police stations, jails, theaters, hotels, nursing homes, factories, post offices, office buildings, and homes throughout the River Valley, Northwest Arkansas, eastern Oklahoma, southwest Missouri, and across the United States. Bob and the late Jim Cheyne, his good friend and architect, convinced the Fort Smith School Board that schools needed to be air conditioned and, due to their efforts, Chaffin was the first to be built with central air conditioning.

Not only was Bob a pioneer in bringing air conditioning to the region, he was also a pioneer in the China market as Communist China began to open up trade to the United States in the late 1980's. Through Hawkins International, Bob helped design and provided the air conditioning equipment for the Shanghai (China ) International Airport, factories in Dong Guan, China, a twin tower high rise bank building, and hosted the Chinese delegation associated with these projects while in Fort Smith.

Bob was known for his quick wit, funny stories, corny jokes, generosity, helping others in need, and love of the Lord. He was always handing out booklets of The Four Spiritual Laws and evangelizing. He was a life long member of First United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School for 50 years for the Builders Class, the Rogers Bible Class which was broadcast on the radio, 12th grade when Marion was in high school, and 5th and 6th grade classes when his grandsons were in grade school. He was a leader in the church and served on many boards and committees.

As president of the Christian Businessmen's Committee in 1978, he founded the first Business Men's Prayer Breakfast which evolved into the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast. He was a supporter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Community Rescue Mission, Wheels of Learning Board of the Arkansas Building Contractors, Arkansas Society of Mechanical Engineers, and Kiwanis Club. Bob won first prize in the annual rose show with a beautiful red Mr. Lincoln rose from his own garden, and received the Spirit of the Frontier Award for his involvement with the community.

Bob is survived by his two daughters, Carolyn Hawkins Pryor of Rogers, Arkansas, and Marion Hawkins Salter (Stanley) of Natchitoches, Louisiana; his grandchildren Benji (Christen) Pryor, Christopher Pryor, Lindsay Salter Wortham (Baylor), Robert Salter(Lindsay); and his great grandchildren, Livia and Robert Pryor, Baylor and Elizabeth Wortham, and Eva and Nathan Salter. Bob loved his family and he loved Jesus.

Pallbearers will be Benji Pryor, Christopher Pryor, Robert Salter, Curtis Hawkins, Jim Hawkins, David Hawkins, and Brent Laughlin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 N 15th St, Fort Smith, AR 72901 or Methodist Village Senior Living, 7811 Euper Lane, Fort Smith, AR 72903.