Rockwall County Helping Hands, it’s Board of Directors, as well as staff are saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Robert Hawk. He was an important friend and supporter of Helping Hands and he passed away peacefully in Mesa, AZ on July 28, 2021. He served as a Vice President and one of the original founders of Pier 1 and later became the owner and founder of Spaghetti Warehouse. Mr. Hawk, a longtime Rockwall resident, served on the first Helping Hands advisory board as well as a current Director Emeritus of the Board of Directors for Rockwall County Helping Hands. He was passionate about helping those in need and gave freely of his time, money, and leadership towards Helping Hands up until his final days.
In 1992, with his generous financial support and leadership, Rockwall County Helping Hands built the Reeves Service Center. This 13,000 sq ft facility became home to the Helping Hands Thrift Store, Assistance & Referral, and Food Pantry along with many other local social services organizations. The Reeves Service Center became a model for a true one-stop shopping center for social services in Rockwall County.
Mr. Hawk’s passion for this community went deeper than just Helping Hands. He was instrumental in establishing the Rockwall Housing Development Corporation, made significant contributions to the Rockwall YMCA, and was a frequent sponsor of events like Dallas Race Week and the Culpepper Classic. He and his wife Cis established the Robert & Cecilia Hawk Scholarship Fund to provide scholarship money for both Rockwall High School and Rockwall Heath High School. This fund issues $56,000 in scholarships to each high school for outstanding seniors as well as the teachers that made an impact on those students lives.
His passion for Helping Hands, and the indelible mark he made here, will be greatly missed. Mr. Hawk is survived by his wife Cis, their four children, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Rockwall County Helping Hands. Donations can made online by visiting the website at rockwallhelpinghands.com.
Jon Bailey
President & CEO
Rockwall County Helping Hands