Robert Hawley Sr.

1920 - 2011

Hawley, Robert C., August 7, 1920-October 7, 2011. Always a cowboy at heart, Robert (Bob) C. Hawley was born on August 7, 1920 in Douglas, Wyoming to Elsie Cross Hawley and Robert D. Hawley. After attending Douglas High School in Douglas, Wyoming and St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., Bob studied at the University of Colorado where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1943.
In his freshman year at the University of Colorado, Bob pledged the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He also served as the Editor of The Coloradan Year Book and lettered in football. In 1999, he was elected into the University of Colorado Living Legends.
Bob met his wife Mary Elizabeth (Betty) McClellan Hawley at the University of Colorado. They wed in 1944 and had been married for 62 years when Betty passed away in July 2006.
Bob was a proud veteran of the United States Army. He served in both World War II and the Korean War, and he taught ROTC to students at East High School.
After returning from World War II, Bob attended Harvard Law School where he graduated in 1949. He paid part of his law school expenses with winnings earned riding bucking broncos in summer rodeos. Admitted to the Colorado State Bar in 1950, he was a prominent oil gas attorney in Denver, CO for more than 50 years. Bob also was admitted to practice law in the states of Texas and Wyoming.
Bob loved the practice of law and was an active member of the legal community. He chaired and served on numerous Colorado and Denver Bar Association Committees and was a member of the Colorado Bar Association Board of Governors, Federal Energy Bar Association, Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, Rocky Mountain Oil and Gas Association, Law Club of Denver (President, 1958-1959), Denver Petroleum Club (President, 1978-1979); and Denver Association of Oil and Gas Title Lawyers (President, 1983-1984).
Bob was a community leader. He served on the board of The Bank of Denver and numerous non-profit organizations. In 1992, The Rocky Mountain Arthritis Foundation honored Bob and his wife, Betty, with a National Humanitarian Award for their outstanding contributions to the community over the years.
Bob is survived by his son Robert Cross Hawley, Jr. (Cathy) of Clarkston, MI; daughter Mary Virginia (Honey) Doublebower (Robert) of Carlsbad, CA; daughter Laurie McClellan Hawley of Denver, CO; grandson Evan Cross Ray (Kristin) of Philadelphia, PA; and granddaughter Robin Lindsay Doublebower of Kansas.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Denver Symphony Orchestra, the Rocky Mountain Arthritis Foundation, the University of Colorado Foundation, or a charity of the donor's choice.