Charles A. Hobbs

Charles A. Hobbs, 88, died February 12, 2017 in Bethesda, MD. He joins his wife of 56 years, Harriette, after a peaceful passing at 5:20pm. He is survived by his sister Helen of Adamstown, and his brother Allen of Bethesda, and daughters Ann Hobbs Noon of Frankford, DE; Holly Rowe of Arlington, VA; Courtney Burnes of Duxbury, MA; Kelly Hobbs-Perry of Denver, CO.

He was the adoring grandfather of Timothy, Meaghan and Lauryn; Victoria, Sophia and Edwin; Charlie and Caroline; and Madison, Kennedy, Audrey and Gabrielle.

Charlie Hobbs devoted his entire professional career to working with Native American tribes and organizations. He was lead attorney on a number of landmark Indian law cases, most of which were won. In 1993, Charlie was honored at the National Congress of American Indians’ national convention for distinguished service to the Indian community. He began his Indian law career in 1958 after graduating from law school and clerking for Circuit Justice Warren E. Burger. Initially with the firm of Wilkinson, Cragun & Barker, he formed Hobbs Straus Dean & Walker in 1982 with Jerry Straus and Bobo Dean. Just this past December, 2016, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Among his many accomplishments, Charlie was a named attorney in more than 100 litigations resulting in written decisions on Indian rights and he argued five Indian law cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. He was also notable for single-handedly creating a 20 foot high Native American totem pole out of an oak tree in his backyard in Chevy Chase Maryland.

Visitation will be at Gawler's Funeral Home on Thursday February 16, 5-7pm. The ceremony to celebrate his life will be at Gawler's Funeral Home on Friday February 17, at 2pm. A reception will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the National Congress of American Indians, or the Charles A. Hobbs scholarship fund at the George Washington Law School.

Arrangements under the direction of Joseph Gawler's Sons LLC, Washington, DC.