Oh my god! What a shocker.

I really was fond of Eric. He helped me in so many ways.

Regards,

The other Eric.



Eric Hawkinson passed away early this morning (Sept.1)
from the effects of a rare blood disorder. As he was
at one time quite well known in the pattern circle. I
thought I should let you know. As I am not a member of
the NSRCA discussion list at this time, would you mind
making a post to the list? I know that he had many
friends (and a few not-so-friends) that are members of
the list.

Roxie Klaus

May God rest his soul.....

I never shook hands with Eric Hawkinson but I do remember his time as editor of the K-Factor. I don't where he got his energy but he certainly had it. He was a great promoter of pattern flying and personally transformed the K-Factor into a most enjoyable read.

May his family take comfort in the fact he touched many people, even ones he never met.

Gene Webber

Thank you for posting this very sad news, Eric H.

I "knew" Eric "d'Hawk" from the K-Factor, and his insightful and creative writing. He ALWAYS shared what he knew, stood for his beliefs, and worked hard at everything he did. I saved many of his articles because of the creativity he possessed and communicated so effectively.

I am sure that "many" of us from the EARLY NSRCA days remember a lot from him....although he hasn't been active in pattern for awhile, he certainly left his mark on our hobby in MANY ways.

He will be one that I miss, and reflect on with respect.

Gear up, and Throttle up, D'Hawk!!!

I've always enjoyed talking and learning from Eric when he was working part time for Central Hobbies about ten years ago. I was a pattern newbie at that time, and he always took his time to explain and help me in selecting the right parts for my plane.

We're all going to miss you, Eric - RIP.

Adrian

I'm stunned. Absolutely speechless. We had great conversations when he was editor and even afterwards when he was just starting up Heliproz.

May the whirlybirds be with you always, Eric!

R.I.P. Eric

The last time I spoke to Mr. Hawkinson was about a month ago.
He was a very nice guy to talk to even just for business.
He helped me a lot back in 97/98 pattern seasons when I asked him lots of questions.
I am still trying to build the building board that he wrote for K-Factor.

I am sure all of us who knew him will miss him.

Ihncheol Park

I knew Eric from Pattern and from Heliproz. Lost a good friend.

Hi Everyone,

I too knew Eric mostly through e-mails and phone conversations. He was K-Factor editor when I was a VP in the NSRCA. Fortunately I was able to attend one of the "Flying Mustangs" Pattern contests that he ran about 9 years ago. I got to shake his hand, fly his pattern plane - (A Sukhoi looking thing ... "Desafio 2" maybe ??? ), eat the meal he cooked after CDing all day and I'm thankful for that. I admired the man's knowledge, dedication and drive. He gave you his opinion, usually with an explanation and some humor thrown in for good measure. I loved the guy ... he reminded me a lot of my oldest brother.

I was in Billings, MT (where Eric lived), this past summer on a motorcycle tour. I called him a few months before and we talked about getting together. When I got out there at the end of June, he was not available. At that time I was told that he was in the hospital not doing well. When I rode out of Billings that next morning the tears in my eyes where not from the wind ...

I'll miss you Brother ...

Michael Dorna

Sorry to hear.

Dave

I remember Eric DHawk from his great K-Factor contribution days. Great loss! RIP

Hawkinson, Eric Paul

Eric Paul Hawkinson, age 48, of Billings, passed away on Friday, Sept. 1, 2006, at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn., after a courageous battle with a rare blood disease.
Eric was born in Billings on July 12, 1958, to Jerry and Lauris (Collison) Hawkinson. He was raised in Kinsey, where he attended elementary school and attended high school at Custer County High in Miles City, where he graduated in 1976. He was married to Sandra Hewitt on Feb. 24, 1979, in Miles City. On Sept. 7, 1982, they had a daughter, Jennifer Lee Hawkinson. While in Miles City, Eric spent many years working for Cenex Co-op before starting up Hawkinson Air Supply, an Ultralight accessories business. Following the dissolution of his first marriage, he relocated to Billings.
In the spring of 1986, Eric met his wife and best friend of 20 years, Ellen (Pinnow) Hawkinson. Being an avid R/C enthusiast, Eric spent some time working with R/C airplanes for Al Coomber of Central Hobbies before he and Ellen decided to put everything they had into starting up their own R/C Helicopter business, Heliproz Inc. With the entrepreneurial skills Eric possessed, he was able to start from nothing and create the biggest and best R/C Heli shop on the planet!
Having been in the R/C industry since 1969, he was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the industry and was able to assist and excite numerous heli pilots all across the world.
As well as R/C Helicopters and Airplanes, Eric enjoyed spending time with his wife, daughter and seven weezos (cats). Eric was happiest when he was either spending time with fellow pilots and friends at the heli field, barbecuing steaks in the backyard with Ellen, Jennifer and the cats, and, of course, holidays and special occasions. He will be dearly missed.
Eric is survived by his wife, Ellen Hawkinson of Billings; one daughter, Jennifer Hawkinson of Billings; his father, Jerry Hawkinson of Gettysburg, S.D., and mother Lauris Hawkinson of Spearfish, S.D.; one brother, Lane Hawkinson and wife Jo of Spearfish; seven loving cats, Ashley, Lizzee, Lucy, Missy, Katie, Wooly and Gizmo.
Eric is preceded in death by his older brother, Michael Hawkinson of Phoenix; and a very special pet and friend, Kelly "Chowdernoogis."
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10, at the Billings Blade Benders Field, located directly behind Heliproz at 1728 Lampman Drive. Entrance to the field is located directly next to Supervalu.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to either the "Kelly Fund" at Grand Avenue Animal Hospital located at 2932 Grand Ave., or to the Last Chance Cat Sanctuary located at 2113 Walter Road.

Published in the Billings Gazette from 9/5/2006 - 9/6/2006.
Notice • Guest Book • Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities

I've known Eric for almost 18 years and I will miss him. He was a good flying buddy and boss. I am posting the following for his daughter Jennifer:

My name is Jennifer, I am Eric's daughter and have worked here at Heliproz with him and his wife for the last 5 years. Unfortunately, the news of his passing is true. He was diagnosed with a rare blood condition called Amyloidosis in March and had spent the last two monthes in Rochester, MN at the Mayo Clinic recieving a stem cell transplant to help with the condition. Unfortunatly, on September 1st God decided that he had better plans for my father. As sad as it has been for our family and his friends it is comforting to know that he is in a better place and is not hurting anymore. R/C was a huge part of his life for the last 35 years or so and it is very heart-warming to hear all of the people across the country that he has affected in this hobby. We appreciate all of the kind words and I am very honored that people have taken the time to express their condolences to us all. God Bless.

Jennifer Hawkinson

R.E. Klaus

R.E. Klaus and Jennifer --

Thanks for some details -- they are appreciated. Yes, he has gone to a better place -- no doubt quoting Mark Twain to the everyone he meets... I never had the pleasure of meeting him but felt like I was communicating with a kindred spirit whenever I read his articles in the K-Factor -- well written, good humor, well thought out. Our world was a better place because of his contributions. He will be missed.

Tom

I only knew D"Hawk through the K factor and the rare conversations I had with him when ordering from Heli Proz. I remember his innnovtive approach to madel aviation and his several ventures into building. I really don't understand the real feeling of loss that I am feeling this early morning after just finding out about his passing. My sincerest condolences to Ellen and Jen. We were all better for his presence.
Fred M. Jacobs, MD,JD
Commissioner, Department of Health and Senior Services
State of New Jersey.

Wow, 10 years since Eric Died . . .

Yes, hard to believe. I just saw in the AMA model aviation that Eric Henderson died a couple of months ago.