Robert Hawkins

1930 - 2016

MT. STERLING -Robert Paul Hawkins, 86, husband to Polly Ledford Hawkins, died in his home on Thursday, December 29th in Mt. Sterling, KY. "Bob", as he was known, was born in Peru, IN to the late Paul and Julia McCreary Hawkins of Dayton, OH. He graduated from Fairmont East High School in Dayton, OH in 1948 and received a Naval ROTC scholarship to attend Miami of Ohio University in Oxford, OH. While at Miami, Bob played football for legendary coaches, Woody Hayes and Ara Parseghian. Some of his teammates include football greats such as Bo Schembechler, Johnny Pont, Bill Arnsparger, Carmen Cozza, among others. He was a brother of the Sigma Chi fraternity, Alpha Chapter. While there he studied Civil Engineering but later transferred to Purdue University to finish his degree in Civil Engineering. Upon his graduation in 1953, he was commissioned an Ensign into the U.S. Navy. After four years active duty in the U.S. Navy, he went to work for the Dayton Sure-Grip and Shore Company in the Cincinnati area, and now with a new wife Polly, later transferred to Birmingham, AL. In 1969, Bob and Polly transitioned from corporate life and moved to a farm in Bourbon County, KY near North Middletown. Bob became a member of the North Middletown Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and remained a member for 46 years. Bob and Polly built a home, built a farm and raised cattle, hogs, grew tobacco and alfalfa hay. While on the family farm, Bob became the area's pioneer in "No-till" tobacco; a technique that saves time, money and efforts while re-planting tobacco plants. The Hawkins' farmed until their retirement and moved to Mt Sterling, KY in 2014. Bob is survived by his wife of 52 years, Polly Ledford Hawkins of Mt. Sterling, KY, his sister Mary Hawkins Gilbert of Kettering, OH, his devoted son Todd C. Hawkins (Jennifer) of London, KY, his loving daughter Martha Hawkins Manley (Bryan) of Murfreesboro, TN, and the absolute joys of his life, eight grandchildren (Trey, Meghan, Michael, Charlie, Hailee, Jack Curtis, Roslyn and Lucas). Memorial Services will be held at the North Middletown Christian Church in North Middletown, KY on Saturday, January 7th at 1PM. Visitation will be prior from 11-1PM. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the North Middletown Christian Church, PO Box 43, North Middletown, KY 40357. coffmanfuneral.com