Robert Hawkinson

Robert Edwin Hawkinson August 4, 1922 - July 30, 2011 Robert Hawkinson passed away peacefully on the evening of July 30, 2011 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born August 4, 1922 to the late Hazel and Henry Hawkinson in Worthington, Minnesota. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, the former Vivian Foss. They were married on September 16, 1950. Also survived by sons Tom (Candy) of Plymouth, MN, Marc (Bev) of Escondido, CA and Wes (Christine Haissig) of Chanhassen, MN and grandchildren, Tim, Will, Liz and Bobby. He is also survived by brothers John (Pat) of Senecaville, OH, Russell (Adelia) of Worthington, MN, sister Betty Turner of College Park, MD and brother in law, Dr. Malcolm Campbell of Rochester, MN and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters Violet Swenson, Myrtle Sweet, Marlys Campbell and Dorothy Sitton. Bob was a graduate of Worthington High School and the University of Minnesota where he was granted a BS in Chemical Engineering. He served during WWII in the Army Corps of Engineers. He worked for the Minnesota Department of Health, farmed for four years and was then employed by Employer's Insurance of Wausau, now Liberty Mutual where he served as Vice President of Loss Control Services. He was one of the first Certified Industrial Hygienists and worked to improve worker safety and health throughout his career. He served as an officer in the Wisconsin chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers, on the Board of the National Fire Protection Association and on the Executive Council of the National Safety Council. He was a Cubmaster in the Boy Scouts, and Committee Chairman for Troop 409 in Wausau. He was proud to be the father of three Eagle Scouts and grandfather of two Eagle Scouts. He served on church boards at Kingo Lutheran Church in Shorewood, WI and as President at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wausau. He included among his interests photography, camping, hunting, fishing and gardening. In retirement, he and Viv traveled extensively. His favorite destination was the homeland of his ancestors, Sweden and the other Scandinavian countries. He especially enjoyed fishing at his lake home on Squirrel Lake in Wisconsin. They have divided their time recently between homes in Florida and Wisconsin. Interment is to be at a later date in Minnesota Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com