Herbert William Hawkins

Herbert (Herb) Hawkins of Visalia, CA died in the early morning hours of May 6th, 2025. He was born September 8th, 1927 in Elroy Wisconsin to George and Dorothy Hawkins. He was an only child. He graduated from Elroy High School, served in the army for a short time during the late stages of WWII, and then returned to the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison to graduate with a business degree. While attending a Psychology 101 class he saw, in his words, a “Badger Beauty” in Eleanor Idtse and eventually met her through a blind date orchestrated by his roommate. He courted El until he graduated. After graduation, Herb worked in agricultural sales, owned a produce business, contracted polio, sold his business, recovered from polio, applied for, and was invited to join the Bank of America Management Training Program in the San Francisco Bay area. Much to Eleanor’s disappointment, Herb did all this while not staying in touch with her for four years. But, Herb had not forgotten about El, and after starting a secure job with Bank of American, Herb went searching for El. To his extreme fortune, he learned that she was living in Sacramento, just hours away. He drove to Sacramento to see her and within two hours he proposed and she accepted. Isn’t fate wonderful? They married in 1953 in Sacramento. Herb’s banking career caused them to move many times in their early married life with assignments in the Bay Area, San Francisco and the Central Valley. They raised their three children primarily in Fresno and then spent many years in Visalia where they ended their careers and lived out their lives. In addition to his banking career, Herb was involved in several other organizations. At various times he belonged to the Lions, Kiwanis and Rotary. He was Director and President of the California Import Export Office of the California World Trade Commission, Director and President of Region Two of the California Bankers Association, President of the Visalia Chamber of Commerce, President of the Tulare County Public Facility Corporation, President of Kaweah Management of the Tulare County Housing Authority, and a member of the Board of Directors of Kaweah District Health Care. After retiring from banking, Herb became involved in international consulting in developing countries. Herb and El spent 15 years working with wonderful people from El Salvador to Siberia and Poland to Kenya and Turkmenistan. They truly cherished these opportunities to travel the world and meet so many fascinating people. Herb’s life-long partner El died in 2022 leaving a major void in his life. After El’s passing, Herb battled continuing chronic health issues, but faced additional physical challenges in recent months. Despite those physical challenges, Herb’s mind remained sharp and he continued to amaze his family with his memory, perseverance, thoughtfulness and the impact he had on those around him. His family will remember him as an at-times grumpy old guy, but mostly as an amazing person that never ceased to amaze them with his knowledge and generosity.

Herb is survived in life by Linda (Tobbe) Persson, Dave (Keri) Hawkins and five grandchildren, Stephanie, Tim (Jette), Jennie, Willie, Keith, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife El and his son Steve.

The family express their extreme gratitude to all of you in his extended family (Bank of America colleagues, Kaweah District Health Care friends and care givers, Quail Park staff and residents, and those he interacted with at the Cypress Rehabilitation Center). He truly cherished all of you. Thank you.

The family has not yet decided how they will celebrate his life, but they ask that you take a moment to remember the good times you shared with Herb and do something to make those around you happy.

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