Dr. Richard Hawkins

Richard Warren Hawkins, 74, of Hoover, Alabama passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family on Monday, October 30, 2023.

Richard, known by his loved ones as Dick, was born on September 27, 1949, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and lived his school years in Brooke Field, Wisconsin, and then moved to Birmingham, Michigan during high school. He attended University of Michigan where he graduated pre-med, and Phi Beta Kapa in 1971. Dick graduated medical school from the University of Michigan in 1975 and was Chief Resident at Henry Ford Hospital in 1977. His specialty was orthopedic surgery, and he completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship with Doctor Jack Hughston at The Hughston Orthopedic Clinic in Columbus, Georgia in 1979/1980. He was Board Certified in 1980 with The Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He retired in 2011 and continued as a surgical assistant for 5 years. In 2017, already a brittle diabetic, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and shortly after, Lewy Body Dementia.

During his fellowship with Dr. Hughston, Richard met Ann Gord at Auburn University and it was love at first sight. Their first date was on his 30th birthday and they were married 6 months later on April 5th, 1980. They moved to Mesa, Arizona where Richard started his own private orthopedic practice for 35 years. Not only did he love his patients and community, but they truly adored him as well. He hunted and golfed with his patients and had a personal relationship with each one. Richard had a love of the outdoors which included hunting, sailing, golfing, and he took great pride in maintaining his yard.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Paula Hawkins. He is survived by his beloved wife Ann Hawkins, children John (Tracey) and Elizabeth Hall (Nick); grandchildren Brooklyn Hall, Lucas Hall, Zane Richard Hawkins, and Emily Ann Hawkins; brothers Doug Hawkins (Lisa) and Brian Hawkins (Suzy), and sister Claudia Hawkins; nieces Jennifer Haines, Michelle Hawkins, Sarah Adkins, and nephew Sam Hawkins; and brother-in-law William Gord of Huntsville, Alabama.

Richard was a champion in his fight with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia. Despite declining health, he did not miss grandchildren’s ball games, dance recitals, school events, and celebrations. He was a true family man in every sense of the word. He unconditionally loved His Lord, his family, his country, and being in nature. He never complained about his decline in health but instead made the best of every day.

Visitation will be from 2:00pm to 3:00pm Thursday, November 2nd, 2023, at Hunter Street Baptist Church Chapel. The funeral service will follow at 3:00pm with Pastor Brian Hinton officiating. Pallbearers for the service will be Brian Hawkins, Doug Hawkins, Sam Hawkins, William Gord, Nick Hall, and Rickey Hall. Honorary pallbearers will be Lucas Hall and Zane Hawkins. The family will have a private graveside service the following day.

Many thanks to Dick’s care team, Ildiko Nyko, Emily Crowley, Dru Backensto, his hospice team, Renae Askins and Pastor Jeff Howard Chaplain, Ann Purdue, Dr. William Hurst, and Tia. Memorial donations may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (www.lbda.org/donate).