Robert Hawk

Robert (Bob) Julian Hawk, 89, a life-long resident of Cleveland, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, August 13, 2023, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Bob’s first loves were God and his family. He thoroughly enjoyed special things in his life that he generously shared with family and friends some of which include Tennessee football, music, reading, the Great Smoky Mountains, bird-watching, and working in his yard. One of his greatest passions was meeting and getting to know new people. Giving was living to him!

He graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan College as its last year as a junior college in 1954 where he was editor of the yearbook, Noctula, and a member of the Student Council. In 1957, he graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and began his career with Dixie Products, Inc. where he was a co-op student at UTK. After graduation, he was accepted as a Naval Office Candidate, Officer Candidate School, in Newport, RI, where he received his commission as an Ensign.

He graduated from the Naval Supply School in Athens, Georgia in 1958 and was then assigned to the USS Investigator AGR-9 as its supply and disbursing officer. He was later transferred to the Naval Air Station in Memphis, TN and then assigned as the only non-legal officer to Navy JAG at the Pentagon until his release from active duty as a LTJG in the Naval Reserve.

He returned to Magic Chef (which had been acquired by Dixie Products) where he worked until his retirement with thirty-three years of service. During his career, he worked in Industrial Engineering, Sales and Marketing, and Human Resources. At the time of his retirement, he was Human Resources Corporate Manager of Retirement, Compensation and over corporate personnel recruitment and hiring.

Mr. Hawk was life- long Methodist who joined the Broad Street Methodist Church at the age of nine. He was the youngest member to ever serve as Chairman for the Board of Stewarts at Broad Street Church. He also served as President of the Methodist Men and was on many boards and committees of the church including Finance, Building, Worship, Usher Staff, Parish Relations, as well as, a youth Sunday school teacher. He worked several years with Habitat for Humanity and in various capacities with the United Way for 23 years.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Jacquelyn Seaborn Hawk; his only brother Dan Parker Hawk; and by his parents Robert (Buck) James Hawk and Florence (Peg) Julian Hawk Moynihan.

Survivors include his daughter, Julia Hawk Brelsford (Robert); Christie Hawk Feiler (Matt); and his son Robert James Hawk II; his two sister: Ann Hawk Preston (Pete) and Katherine Hawk Young; grandchildren: Erin Jacquelyn Brelsford Cash (Daniel) and Alexander Hawk Brelsford; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, August,16, 2023 at Broad Street United Methodist Church from 1:00-2:00 PM with a Funeral service held at 2:00 PM, interment will follow at Hilcrest Memorial Gardens, with Military Honors.

A special thank-you to the staff of Avenir Memory Care of Knoxville and Gentiva Hospice who lovingly cared for him during his final years and days.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Broad Street United Methodist Church (Missions or Music and Arts) 155 Central Ave. P.O. Box 3, Cleveland, TN 37364-0003.

Visit www.fikefh.com to share condolences and view the video tribute.

Arrangements entrusted to Fike Randolph & Son Funeral Home, 2415 N Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37311.