Donald "Hawk" Hawkins

Donald “Hawk” Hawkins, age 91, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2025. Hawk was born on February 13,1934 to Harold “Holly” and Dorothy (Rasmussen) Hawkins. Don grew up in La Crosse where he earned Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow as a Boy Scout. He attended the BSA National Jubilee at Valley Forge. Hawk played for Post 52 Legion Baseball, making State tournament appearances in 1950 and 1951 (runner-up). He was a standout at La Crosse Central HS, lettering in football, basketball, baseball, and track, qualifying for State in the hurdles. He attended La Crosse State Teachers College (UWL) where he met the love of his life Joan Eggert while playing basketball. On October 15, 1955 he was united in marriage to Joan. Hawk served in the US Army from 1954 - 1956 with the Strategic Air Command at the Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane. While in the Army he played basketball and baseball. Upon his Honorable Discharge he returned home and entered the lighting sales field. In 1965 he joined the Appleton Legion Baseball program, took over as Manager in 1968, and spent 60 years with the program. Don served as the State Legion Baseball President for 10 years and held several positions at the Local, State, and National committee levels. Hawk was also a “bird dog scout” for the Cincinnati Reds during his baseball years. He was very instrumental in helping his players advance not only in sports but in life.

Don's passion with baseball led him to start H&K Enterprises Inc. which specialized in building and renovating thousands of sports fields throughout the Midwest. One of those fields was Don Hawkins Field at Appleton American Legion Post 38. Hawk was a member of Post 38 for 51 years. He was Legion Post 38 Commander in 1979 and was inducted into the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1990. He was also inducted into the La Crosse Post 52 Baseball Hall of Fame.

Hawk is survived by 4 children; Steven (Joan) Hawkins. Sue Hawkins, and her family; Brian (Nicole) Henry and their children; Camdan, Maddon and Broden Henry. Brittany Henry and her children; Chloe and her child Brynlee, Clifford, Autumn and Hayden Henry. Julie Wockenfus, and her family; Liz (Dan) Crockett, Samantha (Ryan) Wenzel and her children; Gavin and Levi. Lori Eastman, and her family; Kayla (Carl) Eastman and Drew (Isabella) Eastman, other relatives and friends. Hawk was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Joan, his mother-in-law and father-in-law Norman “Baldy” and Dorothy Eggert, and son-in-law Dave Eastman.

Our family is also grateful for the exceptional care and love provided to our Dad by the staff at Ballard Glenn Assisted Living and St. Croix Hospice.

The memorial service for Hawk will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Valley Funeral Home, 2211 N. Richmond St. A time of visitation will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. For online condolences please visit www.valleyfh.com. In lieu of flowers a memorial is being established. The memorial service for Hawk will be live streamed: https://evt.live/donald-hawkins-funeral-service

Thank you Dad / Grandpa for always being there for all of us, we will treasure all the memories. We will see you again in the Field of Heaven.

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