On July 28, 2025, the Curve Number Hydrology Task Committee, under the auspices of ASCE/EWRI, convened an online recognition ceremony for Dr. Richard H. “Pete” Hawkins. The ceremony recognized Dr. Hawkins for “… his decades of contributions to the deep understanding and wise use of curve number hydrology.” As part of the ceremony, Brian Parsons, Managing Director Environmental & Water Resources Institute and ASCE Chief Sustainability Officer, presented Dr. Hawkins with a certificate of appreciation, gratitude, and recognition.
Oral, personal testimonials, and/or anecdotes honoring Pete were delivered by invited speakers from his past and present - Dr. Steve McCutcheon, Mr. Don Woodward, Dr. Jim Bonta, Dr. E. Bill Tollner, Ms. Julianne J. Miller, Mr. Hunter Birckhead, Dr. John Ramirez-Avila, Dr. Tim J. Ward, and Dr. Glenn E. Moglen. In closing, Pete thanked those in attendance and cited others from his past who contributed to his and our understanding of curve numbers. Forty-two people attended the event including members of Pete’s family.
Cubismo y Números Curvos
Before the ceremony, the organizing group prepared a 37-page Remembrance Book. Members of EWRI and others were asked to contribute testimonials and/or anecdotes and several were received honoring him. The Remembrance Book also includes a short bio and a bibliography of his works related specifically to curve numbers.
The book’s closing is a thank you to Pete -
The written tributes show our heartfelt and sincere congratulations to Dr. Richard H. “Pete” Hawkins on this well-deserved and well-earned recognition for his six decades of Curve Number research, teaching, and mentorship throughout the world.
We are reminded of advice Pete has quoted from H. D. Thoreau, “… it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.” He taught us to think critically about if, when, and how the Curve Number method should be employed, emphasizing the necessity of context and judgment in hydrologic modeling.
Pete's legacy is not only measured by his scholarly contributions but also by the countless professionals he inspired to approach hydrology with rigor and reflection. His wisdom will continue to guide our work for generations to come.
On behalf of the organizing group, we thank all of those who participated and contributed oral and written tributes to Pete and to Adrienne Yeh and Brandy Adams of the ASCE/EWRI who facilitated the event planning and logistics.
Glenn Moglen, Ph.D., P.E., F. ASCE, F. EWRI
Professor and Chair
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Chair of the ASCE/EWRI Curve Number Hydrology Task Committee
Tim J. Ward, Ph.D., P.E., F. ASCE, F. EWRI
Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Dean Emeritus of Engineering
Manhattan University
The Bronx, New York
Member, ASCE/EWRI Curve Number Hydrology Task Committee