Robert Austin Hawkins

Mr. Robert Austin Hawkins, age 81, of Auburn, GA, passed away on Tuesday, February 19, 2013. He is survived by his wife of twenty-nine years, Jean Sims Hawkins, Auburn, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Randall and Cara Hawkins, Woodstock, GA; daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Paul Fogleman, Hickory, NC; step son, Jason Harris, Chicago, IL; grandchildren, Eric Hawkins, Nick Hawkins, Austin Fogleman and Paul Fogleman; two great grandchildren, Lily Anne Hawkins and Bo Hawkins; brother and sister-in-law, Jerald and Patt Hawkins, Ft. Myers, FL; and sisters, Francis Farr, Rocksprings, GA and Carol Davis, Marietta, GA.; numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 15, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Georgia National Cemetery Columbarium in Canton, GA with Navy Military Honors. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday morning March 15, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. A native Atlantan, Mr. Hawkins graduated from Hoke Smith high school. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War, receiving training in electronics and discovering his life-long passion both for photography and for travel. As a Navy veteran, he received his AB in history, with a minor in science, from Oglethorpe University. After teaching for five years at Atlanta's Grady High School, Mr. Hawkins applied his teaching skills and knowledge of science to his work as a lecturer for NASA, traveling across the Southeast with the Space Mobile to educate students and civic groups about the Space Program. Leaving NASA, Bob Hawkins received his MA in history from Georgia State University and worked for the Georgia Department of Education, demonstrating instructional programs to teachers on behalf of Georgia Public TV, and headed publication of the Georgia ETV Network Program Guide. During this time and following his retirement from the Georgia Department of Education, he taught history at Georgia Perimeter College until 2005 as an adjunct professor. In his every personal and professional role, with unique warmth, kindness, wit, intelligence, and insight, Robert A. Hawkins shared his extensive knowledge of history, his delight in teaching, his skill and artistry as a darkroom photographer and digital imager, and his love of music and books.