Richard Hawkes

Richard Palmer Hawkes born January 22, 1934, in Wappingers Falls, NY, to parents Lewis Palmer Hawkes and Helen Harriet Cuslee, passed away peacefully at his longtime home in Albuquerque, NM, on July 24, 2025. Richard was 91 years young. Richard lived a rich and meaningful life, serving in and retiring from both the U.S.A.F. and the Albuquerque Police Department. His most important role as patriarch earned him the love, admiration, and respect of his family.

Richard was intelligent and well-spoken, with a great sense of wit and humor. During his lifetime Richard had an adventurous youth filled with Tom Sawyer-like escapades. He was an avid gardener and also loved hiking the Sandias and canoeing with his family. Richard kept his brain sharp with copious book reading and solving many a crossword puzzle. He was passionate about his family's genealogy and spent many years uncovering our rich history. Richard was a generous man and showed his generosity through giving to organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, the local Animal Humane Society, and St. Jude Children's Hospital.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents, his younger sister Helene Lindblade, wife Hanni Irene Elsa Bednarek Hawkes, and wife Beverly Jean Snell Tharp Hawkes.

He is survived by daughters Regina Harriet Clinch, Dee Kelly, Dani Miller and husband Tony, and son Daryl Tharp, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to one of Richard's favorite charities.

A private celebration of life will be held at a future date.