I was extremely saddened to learn earlier today of Bob Hawkinson's passing.

I first met Bob more than thirty-seven (37) years ago -- in Spring 1974 -- when I was a sophomore majoring in Politics (and History) at the University of California, Santa Cruz.  Bob was just beginning his career as an Assistant Professor and I had enrolled in a seminar Bob was teaching on contemporary political issues required of all Politics undergraduates.  I was immediately struck by Bob's affability and student-centeredness and his ability to demand and eventually inculcate intellectual rigor in his students -- traits which, I learned over the years, are rare even in the best of educators and are the hallmark of a great teacher.  I took several additional courses from Bob and he eventually presided over my Oral Comprehensive Exam in Politics -- along with his then-colleague, noted political scientist, Grant McConnell.

Bob encouraged me to do graduate work in Public Policy, but I fixed on either doing graduate work in History or enrolling in law school, eventually going to law school in the Bay Area.  During that time, Bob and I stayed in touch, with Bob subletting out his house near Santa Cruz to me and a couple of other students while he spent the Summer (it must have been Summer of 1979)in another city.

Unfortunately, as is often the case for teachers and students,Bob and I fell out of touch.  However, in 2009 -- some thirty (30) years after I had sublet his house -- I googled Bob's name and discovered that he was closing out what had been a long and successful career at Willamette.  I read with interest the many accolades Bob had received while there and, of course, was not surprised that virtually all of them centered on his direct work -- both as a Dean and Professor-- with students. I emailed Bob, bringing him up to speed regarding what I had been doing since law school (practicing law and teaching part-time as an adjunct at the University of Idaho College of Law), thanking him for serving as a role model to me as I tried to come close in my own teaching to the kind of teacher Bob was when I was one of his students, telling Bob that I was interested in getting into full-time law teaching, and suggesting we get together in Salem when I visited Portland (I have a daughter who lives there).

Bob responded back, telling me of his plans to move from his deanship back in to teaching.  Bob encouraged me to pursue my full-time law teaching aspirations and suggested that I contact the Dean of Willamette's law school and use his (Bob's)name if/when I did so.  (Over thirty (30) years had passed since we had last communicated and there was Bob, without missing a beat, providing encouragement to and trying to further the interests of a former student).  He agreed that we should get together if I was ever in the neighborhood.

Unfortunately, we never did.  However, I take solace in having let Bob know, if only electronically, that I appreciated what he had done for me as a student (and, eventually, as a teacher).  My only regret is that I did not get around to telling Bob that, just this Spring, I obtained that full-time teaching job, having accepted a tenure-track position at the University of Idaho College of Law commencing this Summer.

For me, Bob was among that small group of teachers who lives in my memory -- his laugh, the sparkle in his eyes when he talked about politics or Chicago (I recall him being "tuned in" to Saturday Night Live, with its cast largely coming from the Windy City's Second City comedy troupe, when it first came on air in the late 1970s), his obvious passion for teaching, and his care for students.  I am better -- as a person and as a teacher -- for having known him.

John Rumel