Friday, May 27, 2011

Darn it Bob. 
There were more fun birthdays, New Year's Eves, strolls and toasts and funny stories.  Maybe another seafood boil with all the food dumped on the table...mussels...beach days ahead.  And how I'll miss the sound of Chicago in your voice.   
xxoo Bonnie
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



Bob H.

My best memory of Bob will be the last rime I saw him at graduation as the U of Chicago grad unmercifully teased my roommate and Nobel prize winning Northwestern U. Professor. He could not be contained and had everyone laughing. As a trustee who worked with him, his whole life was dedicated to Willamette and mostly its students He will be dearly missed. Stewart Butler, trustee


Q

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Device

2001 Greece Trip

I have a few pictures of Bob touring Greece with the Fulbright tour in summer 2001 that nicely illustrate Sammy Basu's reminiscencesBob was our tour's military expert. So he was really excited to stand on the very site where the combined Greek forces dealt the final, decisive blow to the army of the Persian invaders under Mardonios in 479 BCE.
Unfortunately, the site was completely overgrown with weeds, and everywhere rocks and debris from the ancient city formed hidden stumbling blocks. Bob fell badly and really hurt himself, but even wounded, he persevered and gave us all a lecture on the battle that saved Greece from Persian rule forever.

Bob with bloody knees in Plataea, being patched up by Carol Long (sitting) and Catherine Collins.


The other two images show Bob in Corinth and some fresh octopi waiting to be devoured by Bob and the rest of us in the harbor of Aegina.








Ortwin Knorr
Associate Professor of Classics
Director of the Center for Ancient Studies and Archaeology
Bob understood humanity.
He was an academic, yes, but he was also wise about the world.
As a historian and current events teacher, he knew why things happen in the world,
not just what happens.
He understood humanity and fought for justice and compassion.
That was Bob to me.
I guess that makes him a humanitarian.

Tim Kelly 

Politics in the Extreme


Anyone who has had the privilege of knowing Bob Hawkinson likely has a story (or several) to share. He has been an influential part of the Willamette community for many years. Bob Hawkinson was certainly influential to me during my time at Willamette.


I took Politics in the Extreme with him in the spring of 2008, my sophomore year at Willamette. I was the only sophomore in the class dominated by soon graduating seniors. To be honest, I was a little intimidated to be surrounded by upperclassmen in a class being taught by the Dean. I survived the semester with long hours droning through large amounts of assigned reading and a few sleepless nights. The class covered the topics of the Iraq War, torture, terrorism, and the genocides of indigenous people throughout history.
The class was to conclude with a one-on-one oral exam with Bob Hawkinson spanning every topic of the semester. Again, I was intimidated as a young sophomore to have to battle for a good grade with such an intellectual man in the field of politics. While preparing for the final, I devised a great ice breaker to sever the tension and hopefully win over a decent grade. I arrived to his office for my final early while he was still out. When he arrived, he was shocked to find me in full camouflage wearing a ski mask threatening to torture him.  I had come prepared with a bag full of all the items needed to water board him. With him handcuffed, we paraded around the UC to different offices. I succeeded in breaking the ice and apparently passed the course, but more importantly I had one of the most enjoyable finals of my Willamette career.


Bob Hawkinson retired from his position of “Dean of the night” but still remained a common presence around campus. He was often found in the Bistro or strolling around Kaneko. We also shared parking spaces near each other and would engage in conversation in passing.  I often joked that I expected to see him roaming around in a robe with a cup of coffee in his retired state. He was a good person to bounce ideas off of and to cure senioritis while writing my politics thesis.


I am sad that I will be unable to share what I’ve accomplished since graduating with him, but I am grateful for the opportunity to have known Bob Hawkinson.


Brandon Petersen
Willamette CLA ‘10
Politics