Richard Poole Hankins

Richard Poole Hankins, son of Mary Douglas Poole and Louie Hankins, born March 25, 1912, died May 26, 2004 in Richmond, Va. Mr. Hankins graduated from McGuire's School and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He was engineer in residence for Colonial Williamsburg from 1938 to 1941. He served in the Army Air Corps during Word War II from 1942 through 1946. He founded Hankins and Anderson, Consulting Engineers, in 1946 and was the president of the firm until he retired in 1981. Mr. Hankins was a member of the Virginia Board of Examination and Certification of Architects, Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors for 11 years and served as the board's president for several years. He was also a member of the National Council of Engineering Examiners and a member of the National Bureau of Engineering Registration. He was designated "Engineer of the Year in Virginia" in 1963. He was instrumental in founding the Consulting Engineers Council of Virginia. In his retirement Mr. Hankins enjoyed artistic endeavors, including designing and carving the emblem for Grace and Holy Trinity Church and making mosaics. He was a lifelong member of Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and had served as junior warden and senior warden. He was a member of The Country Club of Virginia, the Commonwealth Club, the Rotary Club, and the Engineers Club. Mr. Hankins is survived by his wife of 64 years, Eleanor Turner Hankins; a son, Richard P. Hankins Jr. of Richmond; and a grandson, Richard P. Hankins III. A graveside service will be held in Hollywood Cemetery at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 29. A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Westminster Canterbury at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 1. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Grace and Holy Trinity Church Endowment Fund, 8 North Laurel St., Richmond, Va. 23220; or the Westminster Canterbury Fellowship Foundation, 1600 Westbrook Ave., Richmond, Va. 23227.