Mr. Dennis E. Hawker

Cullum: 25855


Class: 1965


Cadet Company: I2


Date of Birth: September 16, 1943


Date of Death: October 6, 2019


Died in: Show Low, AZ


Interred: TBD - View or Post a Eulogy


Medals

Mr. Dennis E.  HawkerDennis Earle Hawker was born on September 16, 1943 in Council Bluffs, IA. His parents were Genella and Earle Hawker; Earle was a World War II Marine Corps veteran. Dennis attended Janesville High School and was the Iowa state diving champion. He was appointed to West Point from Wisconsin as a recruited athlete and joined the Class of 1965. Dennis was drawn toward the sport of diving because he didn't like to swim!

His first two years were in Company E-2, followed by two years in I-2. Switching companies after two years was Academy policy at the time. While a cadet, he met Diane Poisson, a local elementary school teacher, the lady who would become his wife of 53 years. This was not by accident: Diane and her buddy Julie, both Massachusetts schoolteachers, had often travelled to USMA, dated cadets, and then applied to teach at the West Point Grade School. These ladies had a plan, and Dennis became part of it.

After graduation in June and a West Point Catholic Chapel wedding in December 1965, Dennis went on to serve two tours in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Army Commendation, and Air Medals for his service overseas.

Resigning his commission in 1970, he, Diane, and their two children moved to Illinois, where he attended the University of Illinois and earned a master's in mechanical engineering. He was then hired as an environmental engineer at Barton-Aschman in Evanston, IL. While working full time he attended night school and earned an MBA from the University of Chicago.

In 1978, he and the family moved to Arizona, where he joined his brother, Keno, in the asphalt business. Dennis was very involved in the Mesa community. He was a member of the local Rotary Club and served as president of the Mesa Country Club. He also served for over 30 years on John McCain's academy selection committee, for which he held a leadership position. Dennis was an Eagle Scout, pilot, world traveler and avid golfer.

There is no shortage of classmates who have fond recollections of their interactions with Dennis:

Dan Donaghy: "The swim team demanded all of Denny's free time and the Math Department all of mine during our first year. I was struggling. Denny, although a 'low-key' guy, was sympathetic to my situation. One day he said that he could get me a position as an assistant equipment manager with the Swim Team. I got to watch Denny dive, and I was authorized to eat in the corps squad area, meaning full meals and no plebe-style harassment. It was the lift that I needed to succeed. Denny Hawker's thoughtfulness played a significant part in my getting through plebe year."

Errol Alexander: "Dennis and I were on the Swimming Team together, as divers. I remember competing in the Eastern Regional Swimming and Diving Competition, I think it was our cow year, 1963. I had made the finals, and Denny was about three places out, with one dive to go...a long shot at best. I remember seeing him on the high board, setting up for an inward two-and-a-half somersault. He did the most perfect inward two-and-a-half I have ever seen. Dead silence for an instant, then the audience erupted. Denny was still at the bottom of the pool (we were taught to take every dive to the bottom to make sure we finished the dive well). Denny's head popped out of the water in time for him to hear the last of the uproar. We waited for the judges...he needed outrageously good scores. Then the judges flashed their cards: 10, 10, 10, 10, and 10. A perfect score. Denny and I both made the finals, but it wasn't our year. Neither of us won, but his dive just might be, to this day, the single most perfect dive I've ever witnessed."

Errol continues: "The thing I remember best about Denny is his sunny disposition. I don't think I ever saw him blue or down. He was a 'good guy,' which sounds like faint praise until you realize how few truly good guys there are in the world."

Jay Stewart: "Dennis and I were in the same Ranger class and squad. One of the worst things in a long patrol was to be assigned to carry the M60 machine gun or the AN/PRC-10 radio. Both were very heavy. We were both in great shape, but one day I got sick with a stomach issue. The lane grader gave me some antacid, but I was extremely weak. Then, of course, I was assigned to carry the radio. Ugh. I asked the team if one of them could take it for me. Dennis did not hesitate. He carried it day and night for me. I made it through the patrol, and we became good friends."

Dennis died on October 6, 2019. Fred Laughlin reported on the funeral: "It was a brief but thoughtful ceremony, which included testimony from Lieutenant General John Regni, the former Superintendent at USAFA. He and Denny had worked together on John McCain's committee for vetting candidates for the various academies." Terry Ryan made sure the class flag was on display, a sign of the high respect Dennis enjoyed among the 1965 graduates.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Diane Hawker; brother, Keno Hawker; daughter, Holly (Graham) Melstrand; son, Barry Hawker; two grandsons, Bernie (Lyy) Huerta and David Hawker; one granddaughter, Evy Melstrand; and one great-granddaughter, Tallia.

Dennis Hawker, Be Thou at Peace.

Obituary

Dennis Earle Hawker - Born September 16, 1943 in Council Bluffs, IA passed away October 6th in Mesa, AZ.

Dennis was a 1965 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point where he met his wife of 53 years, Diane. After serving 2 tours in Vietnam, he along with Diane and their two children moved to Illinois where he attended the University of Illinois and earned his Masters' in Mechanical Engineering. He was then hired as an environmental engineer for Barton-Aschman in Evanston, IL. While working full time he attended night school and earned his MBA from the University of Chicago. In 1978, he and the family moved to Arizona where he joined his brother, Keno in the asphalt business. Dennis was very involved in the Mesa community. He was a member of the Mesa Rotary Club, Mesa HoHoKams and the Mesa Country Club. He was "Big Ho" of the HoHoKams and served as president of the Mesa Country Club. He also served for over 30 years on John McCain's academy selection committee where he held a leadership position. Dennis was an Eagle Scout, pilot, world traveler and avid golfer.

He is survived by his wife, Diane Hawker; brother, Keno Hawker; daughter, Holly (Graham) Melstrand; son, Barry Hawker; 2 grandsons, Bernie (Lyy) Huerta and David Hawker; one granddaughter, Evy Melstrand; 2 great-granddaughters; several cousins, nieces and nephews and one fat dog. Love you Dad!!

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