Richard E. Hawkins, Sr.

Richard “Rich” E. Hawkins, Sr., 79, of Boonsboro, Maryland, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. He is survived by his loving wife, O. Christine (Kauffman) Hawkins, of Boonsboro, Maryland. He was a loving husband for nearly 53 years. Born on September 14, 1943 in Winchester, Virginia, Rich was the son of the late Wayne Pershing Hawkins and Gertrude Christina (Kremer, Hawkins) Rider of Hagerstown, Maryland. 

He graduated from North Hagerstown High School then attended Hagerstown Junior College where he received his associate’s degree. He continued his education at Towson State College where he earned a bachelor’s degree. At Shippensburg University, he received his master’s degree. He lived in Boonsboro since 1976 and worked at Washington County Public Schools and the State of Maryland as an educator and school administrator for over 40 years. He also was on the town council for more than 25 years, where he served as treasurer for part of that time. He was still active in the town as a member of the park board. Lastly, he enjoyed being a basketball official at the high school and college levels for 40 plus years.

Rich was all about his family. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two children: Richard “JR” Hawkins, Jr. and Andrea “Annie” Spencer and her husband, Jeff; siblings: Ronald Hawkins and his wife, Cynthia, and Thomas Hawkins; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Skip and Cindy Kauffman, Ed and Lora Budnick, and Wayne and Kim Needy; nieces and nephews: Leslie Pauling, Eric Hawkins, Nathan Needy, Amanda McElhannon, Kate Piper, and their families; grandchildren: Patricia Muller and her husband, Clayton, Dalton Hawkins, Elizabeth Hawkins, Trenten Spencer, and Kylie Spencer; great-grandchildren: Christine Muller and Robert Muller; and several other extended family members. 

He was preceded in death by his father-n-law, Charles Kauffman, Sr. and mother-n-law, Mae Kauffman; sister-n-law, Patricia Hawkins; and nephew, Mark Needy.

Rich was very active in many other activities and organizations. He coached at South Mountain Little League. He helped establish the Boonsboro Area Athletic Association. He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion, the Boonsboro Bassmasters and the McClellan Gun Club. He also helped establish a fishing pond at the town park in Boonsboro, then it was subsequently named after himself and his colleague/friend, Ray Grove. The Annual Fishing Derby is held there every May for the children. He enjoyed many hobbies including fishing and hunting for deer and mushrooms. Sports were a large part of Rich’s life. He played basketball, baseball, and football. He was inducted into the Hagerstown Junior College Sports Hall of Fame, as well as the Washington County Hall of Fame. 

The family will receive friends celebrating Rich's life from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church's Family Life Center in Boonsboro.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made, in his name, to the Humane Society of Washington County or Hospice of Washington County. Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com.

The Hawkins Family would like to thank everyone who has shown their love, support and condolences during this time.