OBITUARY

Renowned California real estate broker Herbert P. Hawkins died

peacefully at his Newport Beach home, surrounded by his wife and family,

on Aug. 18. He was 76.

The founder of Herbert Hawkins Realtors and several affiliated companies

succumbed to cancer after being diagnosed a year ago.

Born in Paducah, Ky. on March 19, 1923, he was educated at Tilghman High

School in Paducah; Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago; and

Columbia University in New York City. After serving as an officer in the

U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the USS Denebola, Mr. Hawkins moved

to California and entered the real estate business in 1946 in Temple

City.

At retirement in 1980, the Herbert Hawkins Company included 120 brokerage

offices throughout California, including Fortress Escrow Company and

Trinity Mortgage Company, with more than 4,200 employees and sales

associates.

Mr. Hawkins met Betty Bloom, a Pasadena school teacher, on a blind date.

They were married in June 1950, in San Marino at St. Edmund’s Episcopal

Church. The couple celebrated 49 wonderful anniversaries; their last was

celebrated this year at Carmel-by-the-Sea, the location of their

honeymoon.

Mr. Hawkins will be remembered as one who loved interacting with people.

Teaching, speaking, leading, competing and making new friends were his

favorite activities. An avid golfer and tennis player, he enjoyed many

wonderful friendships at the San Gabriel Country Club, The Balboa Bay

Club, the Newport Beach Country Club and The Springs Club in Rancho

Mirage, where he was a past president.

He is survived by those he loved most: his beloved wife Betty; his son

and daughter-in-law, Preston and Carrie Hawkins of Pasadena; his daughter

and son-in-law, Janet and Elliot Ichinose of San Juan Capistrano; his

sister and brother-in-law, Lucy and Richard Pouliot; grandchildren,

Patrick (and wife Ting), Anne, Matthew, Michelle and Megan; nieces,

nephews and many dear friends.

Services will be today at St. James Episcopal Church, 3209 Via Lido,

Newport Beach. He requested that any memorial gifts be used for the

ministry of his beloved church. Please direct any gifts to the St. James

Memorial Fund at the above address.