The Passing of Richard "Pete" Hawkins
Richard (Pete) Hawkins, born December 16, 1934, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2026. Richard was a distinguished hydrologist whose work left a lasting mark on the study and management of water resources. He is widely recognized for his leadership and influence on the Curve Number method, a widely used approach for estimating stormwater runoff that helps guide land development and water conservation efforts around the world.
Throughout his career, Richard worked to improve the accuracy of hydrologic analysis by carefully studying how rainfall, land use, and watershed conditions affect runoff. His research encouraged scientists and engineers to move beyond one-size-fits-all assumptions and better reflect real-world landscapes, making water planning more reliable and effective. Richard devoted his professional life to education and research, serving as a professor at Utah State University and later at the University of Arizona, where he was a respected teacher, researcher, and mentor. His academic journey reflected a lifelong commitment to learning. He studied mathematics and science at Westminster College in Missouri, earned undergraduate degrees in forestry and civil engineering from the University of Missouri–Columbia, and completed both his master's and doctoral studies in watershed management and hydrology at Colorado State University.
Beyond his professional achievements, Richard is survived by his wife, Lilli Hawkins; his daughters Geneva Goldy (husband Paul) and Mary Stauffer; and his son Peter Hawkins. He was a proud grandfather to Alex Goldy, Tim Goldy, Courtney Goldy Sprta (Husband Ryan Sprta), Libby Stauffer, Henry Stauffer, and Elliott Stauffer and great grandfather to Zoey and Calvin Sprta. Richard will be remembered for his intellect, humility, and dedication to both his family and his work. His legacy lives on through his contributions to science, the students he mentored, and the many lives he touched.