Obituary

Irving Hurd Hawley, Jr., died on April 6, 2016, in Bellingham, WA, after a month-long battle with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) with his wife, daughter, son and dear friend by his side. He is survived by his wife of forty-four years, Joan F. Hawley, the couple’s two children, Jessica Barter (David) of San Mateo, CA, and son Christopher (Sandy) of Seattle, WA and four grandchildren, Matthew, Allison, Rylan and Graysen.
Irv was born in Bellingham on May 27, 1942, the only child of Joanne Madsen Hawley and Irving Hurd Hawley. He spent his youth on the Hawley poultry farm, where he developed an aptitude for working outdoors and a keen sensibility for mechanics and carpentry. He attended Campus School at what is now Western Washington University, Fairhaven Middle School and graduated from Bellingham High School in 1960. He obtained an engineering degree from Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA, in 1964. Irv began his 33-year career with Hewlett-Packard Company in Palo Alto that same year and earned his Masters in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 1967.
Irv put down roots in California, marrying his wife Joan in 1971 and raising his two children in Sebastopol, CA, where they lived for 31 years. In 1996 Irv and Joan bought a fixer-upper home on Lopez Island and spent the next seven years remodeling it. In 2004 they moved from Sebastopol back to the family home in Bellingham and spent the next twelve years, until his death, splitting their time between their two Washington homes.
Irv loved the outdoors and especially loved living on Lopez Island. He was most content working outside on construction projects. During their marriage Irv built six garages, two gazebos, and four play houses. He could build and fix just about anything, loved reading (especially non-fiction), enjoyed motoring around Aleck Bay, driving his antique cars and building vintage model cars and airplanes in the evenings. He found great joy in being able to help others—friends, family, and neighbors.
Irv adored and was adored by his wife, children and grandchildren. He will be remembered as a kind, highly intelligent, and generous man whose gentle nature, witty sense of humor, and quiet wisdom will be sorely missed.
His family is profoundly grateful to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Hospital ICU for the wonderful care Irv received during his month long stay. A summer memorial is being planned.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Harvey Mudd College Class of 1964 Endowed Scholarship Fund, Office of Advancement, 310 Platt Blvd., Claremont, CA 91711, or on line via www.hmc.edu/give